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lO PLAYS EXCHANGED. 

•AHCR'5 Edition 

or PLTtY^ 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE 
RED CROSS 



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Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Walttv H. pafeer Sc Companp 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



Grandma Gibbs of the 
Red Cross 

A Patriotic Comedy Drama in Four Acts 



By 
WALTER BEN HARE 



n 



Author of "Aaj'Ofi Boi^gSy Freshman,'' ^'■Abbu San of Old Japan" "Afri- 
ca's Secret,'' "A Bird in the Hand,'' ''The Boy Scouts," '^The Boy Who 
Hated Grammar," ''Bride atid Groom" "Civil Service" "A College 
Toivn" "Christmas toith the jMulligatis" "A Christmas Carol" 
"The Camp Fire Girls" "A Couple of Million" "Deacon Dtihbs" 
"Doctor Funnibone's Hospital," " The Dutch Detective," " 7'he 
Fascinators," "And Ho7ne Carne Ted," "Her Christmas Hat" 
"The Hoodoo" "The Heiress Hunters," "Isosceles" 
"Kicked Out of College," "Laughing Water," "Little 
Miss Lonesome," "Macbeth a la Mode," "Mrs. Tubbs 
of Shanty '02vn," "Much Ado About Betty," "An 
Old- Fashioned Mother," "A Pageant of His- 
tory," "Professor Bepp," " Parlor Matches," 
"A Poor Married Man" "A Rustic Ro- 
meo," "Rose o' my Heart," "A Southern 
Cinderella" "Serving for the Hea- 
then," "Savageland," "A Temper- 
ance Victory," "Teddy," "The 
Wishing Man," " 7he White 
Christmas" etc. 



NOTICE TO TROFESSIONALS 

This play is publislietl for amateurs only. Professional companies are 
forbidden the use of it in any form or under any title, without the consent 
of the author, who may be addressed in care of the publishers. 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 

1918 



Grandma Gibbs of the Red Cross 



CHARACTERS 



Grandma Gibbs, doing her bit in ike Red Cross. 
KiTTiE Clover, her granddaiighier, aged 18. 
Miss Samanthy Snapp, a SpHnterville pessimist. 
Mrs. Welliniiton, a city society leader. 
LORETTA McBuiDE, a coKiitry tassie. 
Janine, a F?-ench }n a id at the Wellingtons » 
Miss Cummings, a Red Cross mirse. 
Miss Bover, her assistant. 
Lizzie Mc Bride, aged 8. 
Edna Alston, the Judge's daughter, 
Ezra Gibbs, Gt'andina s youngest son. 
INIiKE Hannigan, a bad man. 
Happy Jim Hankins, a yoimg farmer. 
Cousin Wellington, a city^banker. 
DePuyster Cott, a millionaire. 
Doctor Dawson, in the U. S. Medical Corps. 
McGregor, a dignified butler. ' , 

Corporal Shannon, a wounded soldier. 
Bub McBride, aged 6. 
The Baby. 

City Folks, Country Folks, Wounded Soldiers. 

NOTE 

This piece may be given by three men and seven women, if 
necessary. Ezra may double McGregor; the same actor may 
play Mike Hannigan, Cousin Wellington and Doctor Dawson; 
Jim Hankins may double DePuyster Cott and Corporal Shannon, 
thus reducing the cast to three men. 

Samanthy may double Mrs. Wellington ; Edna may double 
Janine. 




Copyright, 191 7, by Walter Ben Hare 
As author u7id p7'oprietor 



All rights reserved 
©CI.O 4 8^4 

NOV iSlil/ 



P5 3515 



SYNOPSIS 

Act I. — Grandma's home in the country. Off to war! 

Act II. — Three months later. Cousin WelHngton's home in the 
city. 

Act III. — A year later. A hospital on the New England 
coast. " My boy, my boy ! " 

Act IV. — Two montiis later. Christmas day with Grandma. 



Grandma Gibbs of the Red 

Cross 



ACT I 

SCENE. — A country " sett'm'-rooni." Tall fireplace at 
rear c, with black mantel shelf. Old-fashioned fiir- 
niiure around stage. The managers should try to bor- 
row all the real " old-timey " pieces of furniture, 
hric-d-brac, pictures, etc., in the neighborhood. Dresser 
dozvn L. Settle down r. Old-fashioned cradle near 
fireplace. Entrances, r. to street, and l. to kitchen. 
Boiling kettle on crane in front of fireplace. Harmless 
chemicals in the kettle will cause smoke to issue from 
top, simulating steam. Tall clock at rear, ticking 
loudly. Small rocking-chair in front of fireplace. 
Table dozvn l. Old-fashioned splint-bottom chairs 
around stage. Red cloth on table. Glass lamp on 
dresser. Brass candlesticks on mantel. Rag carpet 
on floor. A windozv may appear at rear, if desired, 
also a canary in a cage. Any other old-fashioned 
touches may be given to the scene by the manager, but 
be carefid not to overcrowd the stage. Time, an after- 
noon in late September. Footlights and sidelights on 
full. 

(KiTTiE Clover is discovered seated at rear, knitting 
a sock and humming an old song very softly. There 
shoidd be a somezvhat lengthy pause after the cur- 
tain rises to give the audience time to absorb the 
scene.) 

LoRETTA McBride (Jicard outside at rear, r., calling 
musically), Oo, oo ! Oo, oo, Kittie ! 

Kit. {going to door, or window). Hello, 'Retta. 
Coming in? 

5 



O . GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

Lor. (outside). Just a minute. (Enters R.) Got 
sump'm for you. 

Kit. For me? 

LoR. Yep. A letter. (Hands letter to Kit.) I was 
down to the village when the mail came in and saw it 
in your box. I thought it might be important, so I 
brought it right up. 

Kit. Thank you. Won't you t^ke off your things 
and sit a while ? 

Lor. (doing so). Just a minute. Go on and read 
your letter, I'll excuse you. 

(Kit. opens letter and reads it thoiightfidly.) 

Kit. (after a pause, gives a gasp of surprise). Oh ! 

LoR. (fidl of curiosity). Is it good news, Kittie? 

Kit. I don't know. Maybe it is. If grandma'll let 
me go it's the best news in the world. 

LoR. Go? Go where? 

Kit. To the city. Oh, Loretta, it's been the dream of 
my life to go to the city. The music, the lights, the 
dancing, the roof gardens, the shows ! Oh, 'Retta, if 
she'll only let me go. 

LoR. To work, do you mean? Minty Spriggs got 
her a real good job in the city. She's a' second girl, 
whatever that is. 

Kit. No, not to work, to be a lady, a regular society 
biid like you read about in the papers. Cousin Welling- 
ton is awfully rich. They move in the very best social 
set in New York. (Jumps up on table and sits there, 
swinging her feet.) And he's invited me to visit them 
for two months. 

LoR. Two months? Oh, Kittie ! (Seated at i^.) 

Kit. He lives in a stone house with three stories and 
a garage. And a miranda runs all around the front. 
It's on Riverside Drive and the river is right in front of 
the house. I've read all about it in the Sunday Supple- 
ment. And Cousin Wellington's wife w^ill bring me out. 

Lor. Bring you out? Out of what? 

Kit. Introduce me into society. They call it bringing 
you out. She'll help me make my debute, 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 7 

Lor. What's that? A new kind of party dress? 

Kit. No, it's your entrance into the upper circles, 
ril wear a long-tailed dress of white and silver all 
trimmed with little pink rosebuds, and I'll do up my hair 
with a di'mond ta-rara. 

Lor. Oh, Kittie, you'll look lovely. 

Kit. And Lll meet dukes and duchesses and lords 
and ladies and millionaires. New York is just full of 
'em now. IMaybe I'll marry a title. x\ French marquis 
or an English earl. 

LoR. Or a Turkish king. 

Kit. I just love turkey. 

LoR. Me, too. With oyster dressing. 

Kit. My cousin knows everybody of importance in 
New York. He's awful rich. I'll bet he's got twenty 
thousand dollars. He owns a bank. 

Lor. And when are you going? 

Kit. The letter says as soon as I can get ready. Get 
ready? Humph, I'm ready now. 

Lor. But you wouldn't leave Ezra and your grandma 
and the baby, would you ? 

Kit. It would only be for two months. And, oh, 
'Retta, I'm so sick of Splinterville. Wouldn't you love 
to live in New York? 

Lor. I don't believe I would. I wouldn't love to live 
any place, except with my own folks. Oh, Kittie, I 
believe Ezra's going to enlist. 

Kit. Ezra ! No, we couldn't spare L^ncle Ezra. 
How could we get along? 

Lor. Didn't it almost break your heart when they 
turned Jim Hankins down ? Poor Jim ! Just because 
he limped a little. I think he'd make a lovely soldier. 

(Sits at rear and knits.) 

Kit. (seated on table). I know I'd make a hit in the 
city. Maybe I'd marry a millionaire. 

Lor. Then what would Happy Jim do? 

Kit. Do without, I reckon. I'm not going to tie 
myself down to Splinterville for the rest of my life. T 
want to see the world. I'm just dying to go to a big ball 
in New York. Sometimes I think that a New York 



8 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

heiress must be the happiest person in all the world. 
Wouldn't you just love to live there, Loretta? 

Lor. No, Kittie, old Splinterville's good enough for 
me. 

Kit. I suppose you'll marry Uncle Ezra and settle 
down and live and die right here. 

LoR. You say you think a rich New York girl is the 
happiest girl in all the world. I don't. I can't imagine 
anything more happy than a little rose covered cottage 
liKe this, with a fireplace and everything. 

Kit. Cousin Wellington could do so much for me, 
if grandma would only let him. A visit of a couple of 
months wouldn't harm me, would it, 'Retta? {Jumps 
down fi'om table.) Oh, I'm going to beg her so hard. 
I wish she'd hurry home. She spends six hours every 
day at the Red Cross rooms knitting for the soldiers. 
I've made a sweater and two pairs of socks myself. Be 
sure and stop by for me to-night on your way to the 
square. The train leaves at eight-thirty. 

LoR. It'll be awful sad to see the boys leave. Just 
think, we're sending nineteen. Pretty good for little old 
Splinterville, I think. Susie Claypool's brother enlisted 
this morning, and Jim Ryker. Poor Clara ! 

Kit. It'll break her heart to have Jim go to war. 

LoR. She won't think of it, .Kittie, she'll only think of 
the need for troops. Our country is calling, dear, and 
our young men must go. 

Kit. {close to her). V/hat would you do if Uncle 
Ezra really did enlist? 

LoR. I'd tell him to go and say, God bless you ! 

Enter from r. 'Lizzie. McBride leading Bub McBride. 

Liz. We've been down to the village. The soldiers 
is marching up Main Street. They're having a reg'lar 
pee-rade. 

Bub. Soldiers. Marching up Main Street. Like 
this. {Marches around.) Plep, hep! hep, hep, hep! 

Liz. Say, Kittie, can we take the baby out in the front 
yard to play with? I want to play moving pictures and 
hide the baby in the apple tree. Then I'll rescue him. 

Lor. Of course you can't, Lizzie. You and Bub go 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 9 

on out and play. I'll be out in a minute and I'll take 
you home with me. 

Liz. Say, 'Retta, is Ezra goin' to join the army? 

LoR. I don't know. Why? 

Liz. Oh, he'd make a awful good soldier. He gimme 
a nickel this morning, jest 'cause I'm your sister. I'm 
crazy about Ezra. 

Bub. Ezra gimme a penny. 

Liz. {to Kit.). Say, Kittie, if your Uncle Ezra mar- 
ries my sister 'Retta, what relation'U that make you? 

LoR. Lizzie McBride, you take Bub and go out and 
play. I won't speak to you again. 

Liz. {taking Bub to door r., turns and says in singsong 
tone). 'Retta's got a beau, 'Retta's got a beau! Ezra 
Gibbs is 'Retta's beau. 

Kit. 'Lizzie, ain't you ashamed of yourself to tease 
your sister? 

Liz.^ No, I ain't. Kittie's got a beau, too. Happy 
Jim Hankins is Kittie's beau. 

LoR. (going toward her). You get out, young lady! 

Liz. Come on, Bub. (At door r.) 'Retta's mad and 
I am glad, 'cause 'Retta's got a beau ! 

BuB. 'Retta's got a beau! (They go out at R.) 

Kit. Does she act that way all the time? 

LoR. Nearly always. 

Kit. Well, she's made a big mistake if she thinks 
Happy Jim Hankins is my beau. 

LoR. Why, Kittie, don't you like him no more? 

Kit. Yes, I like him well enough, but I'm going to 
the city and he'll probably forget all about me then. 

LoR. Not Jim. He'll never forget you, Kittie. 

(Knock on door r. ; Kit. opens it.) 

Kit. Why, it's Jim. Come in, Jim, we were just 
talking about you. 

Enter Happy Jim Hankins. He walks with slight limp. 

Jim. I hope it was sump'm good. 

LoR. Kittie, I've just got to go. Good-bye. Good- 



10 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

bye, Jim. Kittie's got some news to tell you. {Ai door 
R.) I'll stop by for you to-night, Kittie, and we'll go 
down and see the soldiers leave. [Exit, r. 

Jim. Heard the news, Kittie? 

'Kit. What is it? 

Jim. Ezra's going to enlist. 

Kit. Honest ? 

Jim. He took the physical examination this afternoon. 
And he passed. They didn't turn him down like they 
did me. A-U the fellows in the county are going, and I 
have to stay at home like a slacker, just because I'm a 
little lame. It's hard, Kittie, when I want to go like I 
do. They might find something for me to do, even if it 
was only digging ditches or drivin' a truck. (Turns 
aside, zvith emotion.) But they turned me down, phys- 
ically unfit, they turned me down. 

Kit. (close to him). Don't you care, Jim, there's lots 
of ways you can help your country, just the same as if 
you were at the front. There's your farm, Jim, and your 
truck garden and grandma says the Red Cross couldn't 
get along without you. 

Jim. Yes, they class me with a lot of girls and women 
just because I limp a little. 

Kit. Oh, Jim, I've got the most wonderful news. 
I've got an invitation to go to the city. Cousin Welling- 
ton has asked me for two months. Isn't that grand? 

Jim. And are you going? 

Kit. I am if grandma'U let me. 

Jim. And will she? 

Kit. I don't know. She hasn't come home yet. 
Aunt Mary went to the city, you, know. That's where 
she met Mike Hannigan. (Sighs.) Poor Aunt Mary! 

Jim. And that's just the reason you'd ought to stay 
at home. 

Kit. I guess I wouldn't marry a man like Mike 
Hannigan ! I saw him once. The day of Aunt Mary's 
funeral, and he was av/ful. Grandma is afraid he'll 
come some day and take the baby away from us. 

Jim. He'd better not try it. 

Kit. That's the only thing that might keep her from 
letting me go. She's never forgiven herself for allow- 



GRANtDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 11 

ing Aunt Mary to leave home. Eut it's different with 
me. I wouldn't look at a man like Mike Hannigan. 

Jim. Don't go, Kittie. Stay home and you'll never 
regret it. Then maybe some day you and me might 

Enter Ezra Gibbs from r. 

Ezra. Hello ! 

Kit. Hello, Ezra. 

Jim. How did you make it, Ez? 

Ezra. All right, I reckon. 

Kit. Ezra, you're not going to join the army, are you? 

Ezra. I reckon. 

Kit. Oh, Ezra, what'll grandma say? 

Ezra. That's what I'm going to find out. Where is 
she? 

Kit. Down at the Red Cross office. 

Ji]\r. She's collecting. 

Ezra {at r.). Collecting what? 

Jim {at l. c). IMoney. They've been at it all week. 
Trying to raise a thousand dollars. 

Ezra. I reckon they'll need it. [Exit, l. 

Kit. {sitting at l. and knitting). Nineteen of the boys 
are going to leave to-night. 

Jim. I know it. I'd give every cent I've got in the 
world if they'd take me. 

Kit. Maybe they won't ever come back again. 

Jim. If they don't they'll have the satisfaction of 
knowing that they have served their country. 

Enter Miss Samantiiy Snapp from r. 

Sam. Good-afternoon, Kittie ! Afternoon, Jim Han- 
kins. I jest dropped in to tell you about your grandma. 
She collected five hundred dollars and over this after- 
noon for the Red Cross. The judge's daughter, Edny 
Alston, is drivin' her home in a carriage and she's got a 
white thing on her head, fer all the world like a show 
actress. 

Kit. Miss Alston driving her home? 

Sam. Yes, jest like a queen on a golden throne. 
{Sits R.) I never see sich a to-do as they're makin' 
about this here Red Cross. Everybody spendin' all their 



12 GRANDMA GiBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

time knittin' fer the soldiers. I ain't got a mite of 
patience with it. I don't believe in war, no way. And if 
I'm goin' to knit, I'll knit for myself. {Fans herself.) 

Jim. But don't you want to help the boys. Miss 
Snapp? It'll be cold over there in France and they've 
got to have socks and sweaters and mittens to keep 'em 
warm. 

Sam. I reckon they kin buy 'em. I don't believe in 
war, no way. If them countries over in Europe wanted 
to fight and kill off their men, it was their own business. 
The United States didn't have no call to git mixed up in 
it at all. If I was a man I wouldn't enlist and I wouldn't 
have nothin' to do with it. I don't believe in war. 

Jim. I reckon you'd believe in war if the Germans 
were to land on our coast and swarm all over the country, 
making our men slaves and our women worse than slaves. 
If you'd see the suffering in Belgium and in northern 
France, Miss Snapp, I reckon 'twould change your mind. 

Sam. But what I can't see is why we are mixed up in 
it at all. 

Jim. Why, it's this way. You see the Kaiser was 
shootin' up our merchant ships with submarines — any old 
kind of ships. And our President says, " Cut it out, see ! 
If you don't we're goin' to start something!" So the 
Kaiser cut it out. But after a while he saw he was 
losin', so he sent word to the President, '' The lid's off- 
see! Makes no difference what ship it is; if she's found 
monkeyin' round the French or English coast, she gits 
it — see ! " And then the President says, " All right, all 
righty. Then we fight — see ! " So we declared war on 
Germany to protect our wives, our home and country, 
see ! 

Enter 'Liz. and Bub from r., follozved by other children. 

Liz. Oh, Kittie, your grandma's coming in a buggy 
with a white bunnet on and a red cross on it. She got 
over five hundred dollars and folks is all a-cheering her. 

Enter Ezra from l. and Lor. froin r. Sam. rises. 

LoR. She's here, Kittie. With Miss Edna Alston in a 
buggy. Ain't you proud of her? 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 13 

Liz. {looking out of the door). Here she comes and 
Miss Alston, too. 

Lor. Three cheers for Grandma Gibbs. 
All. Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 

Enter Grandma Gibes from r., with Edna Alston. 
They wear zvhite dresses and white drapery on head 
with red cross in center. 

Gran. Per the land sakes, what's all the fuss and 
commotion about? 

Liz. It's about you, grandma. 

Gran. The very idea ! Don't you waste your time 
cheering fer me. There's too much work to be done. 
A hundred sweaters to be ready by Saturday. 

Lor. A-Iine's nearly done. 

Gran. Finish it up to-night and git some more yarn 
for to-morrow. How's yours, Kittie? 

Kit. {holding up knitting just begun). That's all I've 
had time to do. 

Gran. Too much Sunday papers. It looks more like 
a wristlet than a sweater. Come in. Miss Alston, and 
sit down. Ezry, get a chair for Miss Alston. 

Edna. I'm afraid I haven't time. You see I have a 
sweater to finish, too. 

Gran. Kittie, take this here doo-daddle off'n my 
head and pack up a nice lunch fer Thomas Kirk. He's 
goin' away to war to-night and ain't got a kith er a kin in 
town to see to his needs. The other eighteen are all 
provided for. 

Edna. Grandma, if you were a man, you'd be a 
general. 

Gran. You bet I would and I'd be lickin' the Kaiser 
this very minute. 

Edna. They're going to call on you for a speech at 
the train to-night when the boys go away. 

Gran. A speech ? Me ? Why, I couldn't make a 
speech to save my life. I'm only a poor old country 
woman who's tryin' to do her bit fer her country. I can't 
do much, but what I can do I do cheerfully and as good 
as I know how. And I don't aim to be a speechmaker. 



14 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

(Sits at rear and knits rapidly.) You'll have to do it 
for me, honey. 

Edna. They call you the mother of Company K. 

Gran. I know it, the dear boys, and I couldn't care 
more fer.'em if every last one of 'em was a Gibbs born 
and bred. 

Edna. I'll call for you at eight, grandma. Good-bye. 

[Exit, R. 

Gran. Good-bye. Kittie, don't stand there staring 
after her. Go and pack that lunch for Thomas Kirk. 

Kit. Yes'm, I'm going. [Exit, l. 

Lor. Come, children, we must be getting home. 
Good-bye, grandma. 

Children. Good-bye, grandma. 

Gran. Bless your hearts. Good-bye. 

(LoR., Liz., Bub and children go out at l., followed 
by Jim.) 

Sam. {going to Gran.). Is that a sweater you're 
makin', grandma? 

Gran. It's the beginning of one. Why ain't you 
knitting fer the soldiers? 

Sam. I ain't got time to knit fer myself, much less 
the soldiers. 

Gran. Samanthy Snapp, I'm astonished at you ! 
Ain't got time to knit for your country ? Ain't you doin' 
your bit? 

vSam. I'm a peaceable womern, grandma. I don't be- 
lieve in war. 

Gran. Makes no difference what you believe or what 
you don't believe. Your country needs your services. 
This is its hour of peril. It ain't fer the likes of us to 
decide v/hether we're to have war or peace. We ain't 
the President. If he says Peace, then I'm fer peace, 
and if he says War, I'm fer war — and war means 
sweaters and knitting and that's all I can do, but I'll do 
it jest as good as I can to the best of my ability, and a 
general at the head of an army can't do no more. Here, 
Samanthy, you take that knitting home and finish it for 
the boys. 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THli RED CROSS I5 

Sam. You ain't got no right to tell me what to do. 

Gran. It ain't me that's telling you, it's your country. 
It's your war 'cause it's your land that's in danger, it's 
your flag that's been trod under foot; those boys are 
going away to tight to-night, leaving their wives and 
families and mothers and their work and money and all, 
and f er what, Samanthy Snapp ? Fer you ! Fer your 
protection, fer your honor, fer your flag. And the least 
you can do is to help 'em as much as you can. 

Sam. {sniffing). I believe you're right, grandma. It 
is my country and my flag they're fighting fer. Gimme 
the knitting. {Takes it.) You've taught me a lesson. 
I'm a-goin' to do my bit. {Crosses to door R..) And 
I'm goin' to do it as good as I can for my country and 
my flag ! [Exit, R. 

Gran, {crossing down l. to Ezra who has been sitting 
moodily at l.). Son, what is it? There's something on 
your mind. Tell mother. 

Ezra. I resigned my job this morning, mother. 

Gran. Resigned the best job you ever had, Ezry? 

Ezra. The best job I ever had. I reckon I'm going 
soldiering. 

Gran. Soldiering? 

Ezra. I'm going away with the boys to-night. 

Gran, {sinking down beside him, on her knees). No, 
no, Ezry ! You're all I got since Mary was taken away. 
You're all I got. I can't give you up, I can't do it, I 
can't do it. {Weeps.) 

Ezra {his arm around her). Mother! You don't 
want me to be a coward or a slacker, do you? I've 
gotta do my bit, mother, the same as you. 

Gran. You're right, Ezry Gibbs, God forgive me for 
my words. You've got to do your bit. Your country 
needs you, just as it needed your brother John to fight 
in Cuba in '98. He never came back, but they sent me 
,his sword. {Goes to cupboard and gets sword draped 
in American flag.) And they sent me this flag. The 
flag he fought and died for, your flag. {Gives flag to 
him.) Take it, Ezry, and go and do youi' duty. God 
bless you. 

Ezra {rising). Do you reckon you can get along 



l6 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

without me? I'll get thirty dollars a month and every 
cent of it comes to you and Kittie. 

Gran. Don't you worry about us, son. The Red 
Cross'll take care of me. 

Ezra. I passed the examination this afternoon. I'm 
going down there now to get ready to leave to-night. 

(Takes cap and crosses to door at r.) 

Gran. Then — you — are — going — to - night ? Oh, 
Ezry ! {Embraces him.) 

Ezra. There, there, mother, don't y' take on. I'll be 
all right. You needn't worry about me. {Leads her to 
chair in front of fireplace,) I've got to do my bit! 

{Rushes out at r.) 

Gran. My boy, my boy! {Weeps.) The last of all 
my children. But, thank God, he's not a coward or a 
slacker. I'm proud to give my boy to my country. 
Proud! {Breaks down; sobs.) But he's my only boy, 
my only boy! {U^eeps.) 

Enter Kit. froiii l. 

Kit. Grandma! {Goes to her.) 

Gran, {drying her eyes). It's all right, Kittie. 
Ezry's joined the army. He's going away to-night. 

Kit. Uncle Ezra going away? What'll we do with- 
out him? How'll we get along? {IVeeps.) 

Gran, {comforting her). There, there, Kittie. Be 
brave, like I am. We'll get along all right. The Lord'll 
provide. 

Kit. And just when I wanted to go to the city. 

Gran, {puzzled). The city? 

Kit. This letter. {Shoivs it.) From Cousin Well- 
ington asking me to visit them for a couple of months. 
Oh, grandma, if you'd only let me go. 

Gran. To the city? Oh, Kittie, your Aunt Mary 
went to the city and now she's asleep out yonder in the 
cemetery. She died of a broken heart, Kittie. 

Kit. I know, grandma, but I'd never marry a man 
like Mike Hannigan. I'll never marry at all unless you 
say it's all right. 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS I7 

Gran. But if Ezry leaves to-night and you go to the 
city I'll be all alone. 

Kit. Yes, but it's only for a couple of months, 
grandma. And I'll be awfully good. Cousin Welling- 
ton will take care of me, and you'll have the baby left. 

Gran. Yes — I'll — have — the baby. Bring him to me. 
Is he awake? 

Kit. I don't think so. I'll see. (Starts to l.) 

Gran. And pack up another lunch, Kittie, for Ezry. 

Kit. But will you let me go to the city? 

Gran. I don't know. Don't ask me now. Leave me 
alone to think it all out. It's so sudden, dear, and Ezry's 
going away has left me kind o' dazed. 

Kit. It'll break my heart if I can't go. [Exit, l. 

Gran. I don't know what to say, I don't know what 
to do. (Enter Kit. from l. with baby. She puts baby 
tn cradle and exits l. quietly.) Both of them going 
away and I'll be all alone. Alone with IMary's baby. 
(Knits, rocks cradle and sings an old lullaby.) Maybe 
it'll be for the best after all. Cousin Wellington can take 
care of Kittie for a while and I'll go to work for the Red 
Cross. (Works and sings lullaby.) 

Enter Kit. from l. after a pause. She carries her letter 
to Gran. 

Kit. Here's Cousin Wellington's letter, grandma. 
Shall I read it to you? 

Gran. I'll read it, Kittie. Bring me my specs from 
the mantel. (Kit. does so.) I don't think I can give 
you up, little Kittie. It'll be so lonesome for me w^hen 
Ezry goes away. 

Kit. (with a half sob). Oh, but I want to go, grand- 
ma, I want to go ! This is my one big chance, my one 
opportunity to see the world. 

Gran. Seeing the world isn't all there is in life, 
honey, but the ability to make smooth the rough places 
and to find happiness in your own little corner, that is life. 

Kit. But I'm so sick of the country. Seems like I 
can't stand Splinterville another day. 

Gran. Just like your Aunt Mary, honey, just like she 



1 8 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

used to be. You'd better light the lamp. It's getting 
dark. 

(Kit. lights lamp and candles. Gran, reads the letter. 
Kit. removes red cloth from table and bringing 
white cloth from l., proceeds to set the table for 
Slipper. ) 

Kit. The same old thing over again. (With sugar 
bozvl.) Brown sugar! As common as dirt. I hate 
brown sugar. (Eats some.) It's just like Splinterville, 
old and ugly and a thousand years behind the times. I 
hate it. 

(Eats some zvith relish. Kit. brings in dishes and 
cutlery from l., setting table. Lor. knocks at r. 
Kit. opens door and Lor. enters with dainty basket.) 

LoR. Oh, Kittie, Ezra's going to war. He's joined 
the armv. 

Kit. I know it. And I'm proud of him. 

Gran. And so am I. There never was a Gibbs yet 
who didn't do his duty for his country and his flag. My 
boy ain't a slacker. 

Kit. Did you see him ? 

Lor. Just a minute ago. He looks perfectly lovely 
in his soldier clothes. I've got a little basket for him. 
You give it to him, Kittie, I just can't bear it. (Cries.) 
Maybe he'll never come back. 

Gran, (coming to her). There, there, honey. Ezry'll 
come back all right and maybe he'll get to be an officer. 
His brother John was a lieutenant. 

Lor. (tearfully). But John didn't come back. 

Gran. No, honey, he didn't, but he was a hero who 
did his duty. You must cheer up and when you bid my 
boy good-bye see if you can't be as brave as I am. 

LoR. I'll try, grandma, I'll try. 

Enter Sam. from r. 

Sam. I jest heard that Ezry had joined the army. 
Grandma, I think you're the bravest woman I ever saw. 
The soldiers are marching down on the square and Ezry's 
all dressed up in his uniform. 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS IQ 

Kit. Oh, grandma, can't I go down and see them? 
I couldn't eat a bite of supper. It's all laid out in the 
kitchen. 

LoR. Maybe it'll be the last time. 

Gran. Of course you can. You girls run along and 
take your baskets with you. 

Kit. And about that letter, grandma; I've decided 
that I won't go if you don't want me to. I'd rather stay 
with you. 

Gran. No, honey, I've made up my mind. I'm going 
to let you visit Cousin Wellington as long as you want to 
otay. You can start the tirst thing in the morning. 

Kit. Oh, grandma! {Hugs her.) 

Lor. {getting Kit.'s hat). Hurry, Kittie, I can hear 
the fife and drum. It's a parade. 

Kit. I'm the happiest girl in all the world. 

(The girls take their baskets and exeunt at r. ) 

SA:\r. (seated at rear). And you're going to let her go 
to the city ? 

Gran. Yes, Samanthy, she can go. It'll be a change 
for her and maybe it'll do her good. 

Sam. But you'll be awful lonesome here with Ezry 
and Kittie both gone. 

Gran. I'll have the baby, and my work at the Red 
Cross will keep me busy. How's your knitting coming? 

Sam. (shozuing it proudly). Just see, I've done all 
that in an hour. 

Gran. I always said you was a first-class knitter, 
Samanthy. 

Sam. I reckon I'm as good as the next one when I 
set my mind on it. 

Gran. You'll make some poor mother's boy happy 
when he gets that sweater. 

Sam. Honest, do you think so? Paw died when I 
was little and I ain't never been used to men-folks, 
grandma, but I want to do my bit and if you think my 
knitting v.-ill do any good over there in them war-trenches, 
why, I'll guarantee to make a dozen sweaters afore 
Christmas. I ain't never thought much about it before, 
grandma, but this is 7ny war, our boys are fighting and 



20 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RLD CROSS 

givin' up their lives to protect my country and my flag. 
Why shouldn't I do my share ? It won't be much, but I'll 
do what I kin. 

Gran. That's right, Samanthy; that's jest the kind of 
talk we need in our Red Cross Vv^ork. There's Elmira 
Logan, she gives us the use of her house for nothing and 
has donated a thousand dollars' worth of yarn and band- 
ages to tlie cause. And on the other hand there's the 
Widder Bill Pindle, she gave us a dollar and knitted a 
pair of socks. She did what she could and I reckon the 
Recording Angel will give her just about as much credit 
as Elmira. 

Sam. But you — vou're doin' more'n anvbodv else in 
town. 

Gran. I only wislit it was more. Maybe when Ezry 
and Kittie have gone I'll have more time to work for the 
soldiers. 

Sam. I should think you'd be afraid to stay here all 
alone in the house. 

, Gran. I don't reckon any one would harm a poor old 
woman like me. 

Sam. But they might kidnap the baby. 

Gran, (starting). Don't, Samanthy, don't say sech a 
thing ! 

Sam. I was only supposing. Of course there won't 
no one tech the baby. There ain't no livin' bein' on earth 
who'd be heartless enough to take it away from you. 
(Pause, then speaks suddenly.) Unless it was the 
baby's pa. 

Gran. That's jtist what I'm afraid of. Sometimes I 
wake up in the dead of the night and seem to see Mike 
Hannigan standing beside the baby's cradle. It's got to 
be a reg'lar nightmare with me, Samanthy. He wouldn't 
hesitate at nothin'. I never imagined any livin' man 
could be as cruel as Mike Hannigan. He ruined my 
Mary's life, he sneered at her as she lay in her coffin, he 
broke her heart as easily as he beat and bruised her body. 
He hated her because she was good and pure and he 
hated me because I tried to save my girl from his cruelty. 
If he'd come back and claim the baby I don't think I 
could bear it. (Weeps.) I don't think I could bear it. 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE R£D CROSS 11 

Sam. There, there, grandma, he ain't coming back. 
Like as not he's in States Prison by this time. 

(Faint luitsic heard in the distance, fife and dnims 
playing " Dixie " or " The Girl I Left Behind Me.") 

Enter Liz. aitd Bub, running in from r., very excited. 

'Liz. Oh, grandma, come on. The pee-rade's comin'. 
They're marchin' up the street. 

Bub. Marchin' up the stweet. 

Liz. And the band's playin' sunip'm fierce. And 
your Ezry's all dressed up like a soldier. Come on. Bub, 
they're comin' right by here. (Runs out r. zvith Bub.) 

Sam. (at door or zvindow). They're coming, grand- 
ma! Hear the music. (Music louder.) 

Gran. Wait till I get my flag. 

(Takes dozvn large flag from zvall and crosses to door 
or windozv.) 

Saim:. (zvaving handkerchief). See, they're all in line. 
Look at 'em march. Our boys ! Our soldiers ! God 
bless 'em ! 

Gran. Amen to that, and God bring 'em all safe 
home. 

(Saini. and Gran, in door zvaving. Music forte. Sol- 
diers may march past the open door, if staging per- 
mits. Cheering heard outside.) 

Sam. There's Ezry ! 
. Gran. Where? Where's my boy? 

(Ezra, in uniform, appears in doorzvay.) 

Ezra. Here, mother, here ! (Embraces Gra-n.) 
Gran, (with trembling voice and trembling hands). 
Go, my son, and do your duty. Trust in the goodness 
and mercy of God and in your hour of trouble He will be 
your stay. I'm giving you up, Ezry, I'm giving you up 
to your country ! [Exit ^zrk. 

(The music grozvs fainter and fainter, the cheering dies 
azvay, but still Sam. and Gran, vuave after the 
soldiers. ) 



2^ GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

Sa^i. I'm going down to the depot. [Exit, R. 

Gran. I'd love to go, but I can't leave my baby. 
(Resunies seal and rocks cradle.) My boy's gone to be 
a soldier and Kittie leaves for the city 'in the morning. 
I'll be all alone, all alone with the baby. It is the law of 
life, Ezry and Kittie are young folks and I am an old 
woman, but I am proud that my boy has gone to help his 
country, just as his elder brother did in Cuba in '98. 
{Speaks io baby.) But you won't go 'way and leave me, 
will you, baby? You're mine, all mine ! {Knock on door 
at R.) I wonder who can be knocking at this time of 
night. {Goes to door.) It can't be Samanthy. {As she 
opens the door.) Good-evening, sir. 

(Mike Hannigan sloucJies in and stands at r. leering 
at her. She steps back two steps as he enters and 
looks at him full of terror. He is a degraded look- 
ing man, shabby, unsJiaven and evil eyed.) 

Mike {after a pause). Well, do you know me? 

Gran, {shrinking from him, trembling). Mike! Mike 
Hannigan ! 

Mike. I thought y'd know me. Five er six months 
behind the bars don't change a man's looks to his home 
folks. 

Gran. What are you doing here ? 

Mike. I jus' dropped in fer a little call on my mother- 
in-law. Hope you're enjoyin' good health. Mis' Gibbs. 

Gran. Why have you come ? 

Mike. You knov/ why I've come well enough. 
{Bends fozvard her, his face close to hers.) I've come 
fer my property. 

Gran. There was no property. You know as well as 
I do that Mary left nothing. 

Mike. Oh, yes, she did. She left the kid, didn't she? 

Gran. You're not — not going to take the baby? 
{Pause; he smiles grimly. Slowly.) You wouldn't take 
him away from me, would you? He's all I've got. You 
wouldn't have the heart to do that? {Pause.) Would 
y'? Ezry's joined the army and Kittie's goin' to the city 
to-morrow, and I'll be all alone, except for the baby. 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 23 

He's all I'll have left. You ain't come after him, have 
you? 

Mike. What else do you reckon I'm here fer? Come, 
git him ready. Wrap him up in a shawl and gimme a 
bottle of milk and I'll be off on the same train that's 
takin' the soldiers. 

Gran, (going to him, tremhling). Mike, Mike, don't 
take the baby away from me. Seems like I've bore so 
much to-day that I jest couldn't stand up under that. 
Nobody can take care of him like I can. He's all I'll 
have left. {More passionately.) Mike, you can't do it ! 
You can't do it. You might be a bad man, Mike, but 
surely you ain't got the heart to tear that baby away from 
these old arms of mine. I promised his dying mother to 
protect her child. 

Mike. It's my baby, I say ; give him to me. 

Gran. Your baby? Yours? You ask me to give 
him to you ! Then where is my baby ? Where is my 
little Mary? W^here is the girl you swore to love and 
protect the day you made her your wife? Give me back 
my girl ! You beat her, you choked her ! She died in 
my arms heart-broken 

Mike {grasping her roughly by arm). That'll do, 
you ! Hurry up and get me the baby ! It's train time. 
He leaves with me to-night. 

Gran. No, no ! See, on my knees I beg you to let 
me have the child. 

Mike. Where is he? (Crosses to l.) 

Gran, (rushing to cradle, snatches baby to her breast). 
You shan't hav^ him! (Mike rushes to her.) Back, 
Mike Hannigan, don't you dare to touch him. He's here 
with me, the only mother he's ever known, on my breast 
(loudly, passionately) and I defy you, in the name of 
God, to tear him from this sacred refuge! (He recoils.) 

QUICK CURTAIN 

(Second Picture. — Baby in cradle, Mike at door r.) 

Gran, (at c, facing him). The train's pullin' out. 
You've just got time to catch it. It's taking the soldiers 



24 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

away to fight for their country. Be a man, Mike Han- 
nigan, have done with evil and show yourself a man. 
Now's your chance. Catch that train and join the army! 

Mike. I'll do it ! 

Gran. God bless you ! [Exit Mike, r. 

CURTAIN 



(Third Picture, Gran, with baby in her arms, singing 
lullaby. ) 

CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE. — Conservatory in Cousin Wellington's city 
residence. Entrances R. and l. Fancy Japanese 
screens at rear and at sides. Several fur rugs on floor. 
Small fancy table at l., with tzuo fancy chairs. Tete- 
a-tete at R. Fancy chair at rear c. Palms around 
stage. Note: The same scenery may he used as in 
Act I, hiding the fireplace with screens and changing 
furniture. Satin cushion on the tete-a-tete. 

(Discovered, McGregor, a dignified, middle-aged but- 
ler, arranging cushion. He steps back to note the 
effect just as Janine, a dainty French maid, enters 
from L. She hurries in and does not see him. They 
collide. ) 

McG. Beg pardon ! 

Jan. Oh, it is the McGregor ! I hurry me so zat I 
do not see vere I am going, evidently walk backwards 
like-a ze crab. 

McG. I simply took a step bac'ards to admire the 
heffect. Of coorse I didna suspect a tornado would 
attack me from the rear, as it were. 

Jan. Vot is dat tornado, monsieur? Darleeng have I 
been called, and petite, and sweetheart and ozzer nice 
names, but nevaire have I been called a tornado. (Close 
to him.) Eet is a nice name, eh? 

McG. Ko, yes. Elit's one of my pet hexpressions, as 
it were. But why are you here in the conservatory, 
ma dame ? 

Jan. Madame? Oh, la, /a, la! Mademoiselle, if you 
please, for the present. Some day, mebbe, madame, but 
not just now. Zose who like me best call me Janine. 

McG. They do? And can I call you Janine? 

Jan. Mebbe. If you are a very, very good boy. You 
ask me vot I do here in the conservatory. I search for 

25 



26 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE llED CROSS 

Mees Kathleen. Madame Wellington vould have a 
leetle talk wiz her in private. Comprenez-vous ? 

McG. Hi think hi understand. Miss Kathleen is 
with her guests out by the lily pond. 

Jan. And Monsieur Cott, vere is he? 

McG. He's gettin' ready to rehearse the young ladies 
for the private theatricals. Hi think 'e is hin the hante- 
room. 

Jan. Ah, ha ! Zen zey are not togezzer. Mees Kath- 
leen on ze lily pond and zees Cott man in ze anteroom. 
It is as I suspec'. Madame try to make ze grand match 
and Monsieur Cott try to make ze grand match, but Mees 
Kathleen ! Ah, ha, zat ees anuzzer mattaire. 

McG. You mean she's not in love with DePuyster 
Cott. 

Jan. Zat ees exactly vot I mean. 

McG. But it has been reported that they were en- 
gaged. Hit'U be a great match for Miss Kathleen. 
She's honly a little country lassie, wi' no money of her 
own at all, hand DePuyster Cott, he's a millionaire. 

Jan. He may be ze millionaire, but he ees not ze 
lovaire. For heem she cares, poof — that! 

{Snaps fingers.) 

McG. But the hold lady is strong for the match, and 
he's worth a million. 

Jan. Again I say — poof ! Mees Kathleen does not 
love him. I know. 

McG. And how do you know ? 

Jan. Because ven she hear his name she do not 
zhoomp. 

McG. {blankly). Jump? 

Jan. Zhoomp ! It is a sure sign. It fails nevaire. 
You say to me Thomas, I do not zhoomp. You say to me 
Alphonse, I do not zhoomp. You say to me — vot ees 
your name? 

McG. {pleased). Angus! 

Jan. You say to me — Angus, I — {pauses, glances 
roguishly at him; he struts) do not zhoomp. {He is dis- 
appointed and indignant.) You say Matthew, Alois, 
Jean, Ferdinand, Emile — still I zhoomp not! Ah, but 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 2/ 

you say to me James — oo ! {Hugs herself.) Zen I 
zhoomp; like-a da zhoomping-jack. Now you say to 
Mees Kathleen — DePuyster — vere is de zhoomp? It is 
not there. {Impersonating.) Ah, monsieur, you do me 
ze grand honor, you pay me ze great compliment — eet is 
ze proudest moment of my life, but alas, I cannot return 
your love. I'll be a sistaire to you, mebbe. So, good- 
night, here is your hat, vot is your hurry ? Get out ! 

{Little kick.) ; 

McG. {laughing). Yes, yes. She'll say get out, just 
like that! {Kicks.) 

(Jan. and McG. stand c. laughing; enter Mrs. 
Wellington from l. She raises her lorgnettes and 
looks at them; they laugh in pantomime, not seeing 
her.) 

Mrs. W. McGregor ! 

McG. {straightening up). Yes, madame? 

Mrs. W. Janine ! 

Jan. Oui, madame? 

Mrs. W. I am surprised. Surprised! 

McG. Weel, madame, I'm somewhat surprised my- 
self. 

Mrs. W. Such conduct in the conservatory. 

McG. She was only showing me a little dance step, 
madame. We will not repeat our offense. 

Mrs. W. I should hope not. Where is my ward? 

McG. She's out by the lily pond, madame, 

Mrs. W. And Mr. Cott is with her, I suppose? 

McG. Oh, no. Mr. Cott is rehearsing the young 
ladies in the hanterooni. 

Mrs. W. Janine, find Kathleen and send her to me at 
once. 

Jan. Oui, madame ! [Exit, l. 

Mrs. W. McGregor, you may tell Mr. Cott that I 
wish to see him in the sunken gardens as soon as he 
finishes his rehearsals. 

McG. Yes, madame. [Exit, R. 

Mrs. W. I must bring things to a head this afternoon. 



28 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

Kathleen has refused to give Mr. Cott his answer for a 
month now. She shan't put it off any longer. She must 
consent at once and I'll give an announcement dinner on 
Thursday. 

Enter Wellington from k. 

Wel. I just passed through the front hall and saw 
DePuyster Cott dancing and kicking around like a 
flamingo with the hives. What's he trying to do, turn 
this house into a theatre? 

Mrs. W. Wellington ! It's a rehearsal for the Red 
Cross benefit. 

Wel. I don't care if it is. I don't like DePuyster 
Cott and I don't want him gallivanting around my house. 

Mrs. W. Now, Wellington, don't be foolish. De- 
Puyster is Kathleen's most ardent admirer. Think what 
a wonderful match it would be. He's worth over a 
million. 

Wel. I don't care how much he's worth. I'm not 
going to have my little Kittie mated up with a man like 
DePuyster Cott. Now don't start to argue. I won't 
have it, and there's an end. What would Grandma Gibbs 
say if her little Kittie married a man like that? 

Mrs. W. She doubtless would be the proudest woman 
in the state. Think what DePuyster could do for Kittie. 
She hasn't a cent, and her grandmother hasn't anything. 
It's a wonder that he ever gave her a thought, an ignorant 
little country girl like Kittie. Why, he's the catch of the 
season. 

Wel. There you go again. I tell you I won't have it. 
Let him marry one of the girls here in town, one of the 
full blown roses of society, if he will. Kittie is a simple 
little country violet, with all the innocence and fragrance 
of the wildwood. And Cott! He'd break her heart in 
six months. 

Mrs. W. There, there, Wellington, you're excited — 
and when you get excited it makes me so nervous. Go 
and lie down in your room. You are worrying over a 
trifle. 

Wel. The happiness of little Kittie Clover isn't a 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 29 

trifle. I'll see DePuyster Cott and tell him just what my 
attitude is. 

Mrs. W. You'll do nothing of the sort. Kathleen 
wouldn't thank you for interfering in her affairs. If she 
doesn't want to marry him, rest assured I shall not try to 
influence her. But if she does I'm sure she'll resent your 
attitude. Now, go and lie down, like a good boy. The 
house is full of guests and my nerves are all unstrung. 
Please, Wellington ! 

Wel. Very well. But understand right now that my 
little girl isn't going to be forced to marry any one she 
doesn't want, millionaire or no millionaire. (At door R. ) 
She's too sweet and innocent for a middle-aged orchid 
like DePuyster Cott. And I won't have it! [Exit, r. 

Mrs. W. I rather think Kathleen will have something 
to say to that. 

Kit. (outside l.). Auntie, auntie, where are you? 

Mrs. W. Here I am, Kittie, in the conservatory. 
Don't make such a noise. 

Enter Kit. from l. 

Kit. Oh, you darling, this is the loveliest party of 
the. season. 

Mrs. W. I'm glad you are enjoying it. 

Kit. I've been down to the lily pond with the boys. 
They're playing tennis. DePuyster Cott's got all the 
girls in the front hall practising for the amateur play. 

Mrs. W. Aren't you to be in the play ? 

Kit. He wanted me to be the leading lady, but I can't 
do anything like that. I'm just a little country girl, in 
spite of all my fine fixings and things. I'd be as much 
out of place on the stage as a little country robin in a 
cage full of golden canaries. 

Mrs. W. Country robin indeed ! You are going to be 
the hit of the season. 

Kit. Oh, if the folks at Splinterville could only see 
me in this dress. They'd think I was a play actress for 
sure. 

Mrs. W. Do you have play actresses in Splinterville, 
Kathleen ? 



30 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 



Kit. Sure we do. Once every week we have a movie, 
and Uncle Tom's been there twice. 

Mrs. W. I believe you're homesick. {Seated at r.) 

Kit. No, I'm not exactly Vv^hat you'd call homesick, 
but I'd love to drop in on grandma just to see how she's 
getting along. And the baby's got a tooth. Isn't that 
wonderful ? How they grow and get hair and teeth and 
things. Oh, I'd love to see the baby ! 

Mrs. W. Isn't there some one else in Splinterville 
you'd love to see besides the baby and grandma ? 

Kit. Why, of course. I'd love to see them all. 
Loretta and Lizzie and Samanthy Snapp and Happy Jim 
Hankins. 

Mrs. W. {significantly). Ah! 

Kit. Now don't say ah, auntie. I'm not in love with 
Happy Jim. I'm not in love with anybody. 

Mrs. W. No one at all ? 

Kit. No one but you and Cousin Wellington. 

Mrs. W. I thought DePuyster Cott has been very 
attentive. 

Kit. He has. DePuyster's been attentive all right, 
but somehow his attentions don't seem exactly to hit the 
spot. 

Mrs. W. He's a rich man, my dear, a very rich man. 
Half the mothers in New York have been trying to land 
him for years. 

Kit. You talk like he was a tish. {Laughs.) And 
I think he is. A lobster. 

Mrs. W. Kathleen, you mustn't speak that way of 
DePuyster. Fle is sincere. He's going to ask you to 
become his wife. 

Kit. He's asked me that already. Seven times. 

Mrs. W. And what did you reply ? 

Kit. Seven times no. 

Mrs. W. Kathleen, DePuyster would make you a rich 
woman. You would have everything your heart de- 
sired. Money, a beautiful home, a cottage by the sea, 
touring cars, a yacht, servants, diamonds 

Kit. I know it. I'd love all that ; there's only one 
drawback. I'd have to take DePuyster, too. 

Mrs. W. You are very young, Kathleen, and you 



GRANDjMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 3I 

know very little of the world and its ways. Your uncle 
s in the army, your grandmother is poor, very poor. 
Have you thought how much }-ou could do for her it }'ou 
kvould marry DePuyster? 

Kit. (seriously). No, auntie, I've never thought of 
.hat. 

Mrs. W. She is an old woman now, dear, and every 
penny counts at her age. If you married well you could 
provide her with every comfort, even luxury. Slie's too 
j\d to work and suppose your uncle doesn't come back. 
(Pauses; looks at Kit.) And then there's the baby, 
i^our Aunt Mary's baby. Think what you could do for 
lim if you married DePuyster Cott. 

Kit, That's true. I could help them both. I could 
Duild a house in Splinterville and take care of everybody, 
Uncle Ezra and grandma and the baby. (Cliaiiges tone.) 
But maybe Mr. Cott wouldn't let me. 

Mrs. W. DePuyster is generosity itself. I don't want 
to influence you, Kathleen, against your own judgment, 
DUt I am a woman of experience. A marriage with him 
^vould bring you wealth and it would bring comfort to 
^our grandmother in her old age. 

Kit. (dreamily). I know that, but would it bring me 
lappiness? I — I don't love DePuyster Cott. I never 
:ould love him. I admire him in a way, but that's dif- 
ferent. But when I think of grandma and realize how 
[ could help her if I was his wife, and the good I could 
io with all that money, I feel as if I could make any 
sacrifice for those I love. 

Mrs. W. You are a dear child, Kathleen. In the 
^hort time I have knovrn you I have learned to wish that 
y'ou were my daughter. I v.-ill urge DePuyster's claims 
10 longer. You must make you own decision. But he 
las told me that he loves you sincerely, devotedly. I 
:hink he intends to speak to you again to-day. If you 
refuse him he is going to enlist in the army. (Rises.) 
[ think I'd better look after our guests. (Crosses to l.) 
rhe decision is in your own hands. [Exit, l. 

Kit. I'd be rich, I'd have everything on earth I 
ivanted and grandma would be able to do just as she 
pleased. No more work, no more slaving to make both 



32 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROS^ 

ends meet. Grandma could be just like Auntie Welling- 
ton, with every luxury at her command. I'll do it. I'll 
marry him and try to make him happy. {Goes to L. ) 
Maybe he won't be home much. [Exit, l. 

Enter Jan. from r. zuith feather duster. 

Jan. (crossing down h., dusting). Ah, ze newspapers 
report anuzzer victory for la belle France. A great, 
grand, glorious victory. And my Jamie was probably in 
ze battle. Maybe some day he will be a grand officer 
and vill come to America and ask me for my hand. And 
I vill say 

Enter DePuyster Cott from l. on zvords ''glorious 

victory." 

CoTT {coming down l. c). And you will say? 

Jan. Oh, pardon, monsieur. I did not know zat I 
was overheard. 

CoTT. So, you have a Jamie in the army, eh ? 

Jan. {proudly). Oui, monsieur. 

CoTT. Well, all I can say is that your Jamie has a 
mighty pretty little sweetheart waiting for him. 

Jan. {eyes dozen, mock modesty). Oh, monsieur! 

CoTT {taking her hand). What a pretty little hand. 
Too bad it has such hard v/ork to do. 

Jan. {snatching hand azvay, faces him zvi'Ji flashing 
eyes). For the hard work I do not care. Eet is my bit. 
The wages those are beeg, very beeg — and every centime 
is sent to la belle France. I am only a working girl, 
monsieur, but I work for my native land, I work for mv 
flag! 

CoTT. Patriotic, upon my word. What a handsome 
little Joan of Arc you are. Suppose I'd give you a 
dollar for your belle France. {Holds up silver dollar.) 

Jan. {smiling, takes it). I vould say, thank you, 
monsieur. 

CoTT. And suppose I would ask for a little kiss ? 

Jan. {ducking under his arm, leaving the feather 
duster enclosed in the crook of his elhozv). I vould say 
{running to dnor R., turns) kiss ze fezzer duster, mon- 
sieur. {Laughs and runs out R.) 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 33 

CoTT. The little simpleton! {TJirozvs duster out at 
L.) But I am losing time. The rehearsal ! (Goes to L.) 
Are you ready, girls ? 

Girls {oulside l.). All ready, Mr. Cott. 

CoTT (to leader of orehestra). Then strike up the 
band, here come the ladies. 

(Music, Cott dances off at r.) 

Enter eiglit or twelve Society Girls from l., dancmg or 
marclmig in time to music. Enter Soloist. 
Specialty number by the girls. At end of number 
they all dance or march off. Note: This specialty 
may be given as a solo or a duet, or a fancy dance, or 
may be omitted entirely, Cott making his exit after 
throvjing duster dozvn. 

Enter Kit. from l. after specialty and encore. 

Kit. I went down to the old-fashioned garden and 
got a sprig of boy's love. T'm goin' to put it in my shoe 
and if it hurts it's a sign my beau's love won't last. 
(Takes off slipper.) I hope it don't hurt. 

Enter Cott from r. quickly. 

Cott. Ah, there you are ! 

(At the sound of his voice Kit. gives a little squeal 
and jumps to l. a little.) 

Kit. Oh ! 

Cott. What's the matter? Did I frighten you? 

Kit. Oh, no. I'm not frightened, I'm just — er — 
embarrassed. 

Cott (near tete, motions for Kit. to sit thereon). 
Won't you sit down ? 

Kit. (trying to put on her slipper ivhen he isn't look- 
ing, speaks with closed lips signifying ''no"). Um- 
umph ! 

Cott. Please sit down. I have something to say to 
you. / 

Kit. (meaning '' no"). Um-umph ! 

Cott. I v\^on't be happy until you do. I won't really. 

Kit. Oh, very well. (Flops down on floor.) 



^4 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

CoTT. Picturesque, but rather uncomfortable, isn't it? 

Kit. (glancing at slipper in hand hidden from Cott). 
I should say so. 

CoTT {coming to her). Now, Kathleen 

Kit. Oh, please don't come so close. You make me 
nervous. 

CoTT. But I can't say what I want to say from Vv^ay 
over here, you know. 

Kit. Oh, yes, you can. Lots of men propose over 
the telephone. Sit way over there. 

CoTT. Very well. {Backs away from her.) 

Kit. Don't walk backvv^ards; you might fall down. 

{He turns to r. Kit. tries to get slipper on, but cannot.) 

CoTT {seated r.). Kathleen, I see you know what I'm 
going to say to you. You are poor, Mrs. Wellington tells 
me, and uncomfortable. You are really. 

Kit. Yes, she's right. I'm poor and uncomfortable. 
Especially uncomfortable. 

CoTT. I can make you comfortable. 

Kit. {looking at him quickly). Can you? 

CoTT. I can surround you with every luxury. 
(Rises.) If you will only like me a little. (Sits beside 
her.) Can't you like me a little, Kathleen? 

Kit. I don't know. 

CoTT (suddenly) . I see everything! 

Kit. (startled, hides foot and puts slipper behind her). 
Oh ! I'm so embarrassed. 

CoTT. There is some one else. 

Kit. Is that all you saw? 

CoTT. You have a sweetheart? 

Kit. Nobody but Happy Jim Hankins. 

CoTT. And who is he ? 

Kit. a farmer. Got red hair and limps a little, but 
his heart's in the right place. 

CoTT. Kittie, won't you be serious ? 

Kit. I am; I couldn't be more serious at my own 
funeral. 

CoTT. Look me in the eye. Straight in the eye. 

Kit. I can't. Your eye is wobbly. 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 35 

CoTT. Kiltie, give me your hands. Promise you'll 
marry me. 

(Takes her hands; she hands hUn the slipper and 
laughs. ) 

Kit. I'll have to ask grandma first. 

(Hobbles out l. quickly.) 

CoTT (looking at slipper, pauses). Did she give me 
her hand or her foot ? 

Enter Mrs. W. from l. 

Mrs. W. Well? (Hides slipper behind him.) 

CoTT. It's all right. I'm the happiest man in America, 
I am really. 

Mrs. W. Has she promised to marry you? 

CoTT. Not exactly. She said she had to ask her 
grandma first. 

Mrs. W. Then you are as good as engaged. Don't 
you think w^e'd better announce it to-night? 

Enter Wel. from r. 

Wel. Announce what? 

CoTT. Miss Kathleen has just promised to marry me, 
she has really. 

Wel. She did? My little girl promiised that? 

CoTT. Yes, she did. Aw^fully strange, isn't it? But 
she did really. But she said she'd have to ask her grand- 
ma first. 

Mrs. W. (at r.). But of course Grandma Gibbs will 
consent. I am sure, DePuyster, she'll be delighted and 
honored to have you as Kathleen's husband. 

Wel. I'm not so sure about that. Grandma Gibbs 
never makes up her mind in a hurry. I don't think you'd 
better announce it quite yet, my dear. 

CoTT. I'll telegraph the old lady, I will really. 

Mrs. W. DePuyster, I congratulate you. 

(Shakes hands with him; he puts slipper in hand be- 
hind him.) 

Wel. And so do I. 

(Seizes his other hand and gets the slipper.) 



36 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THI- RliD CROSS 

CoTT. Thanks, awfully. 

Wel. {looking at slippe/'). What is this? 

Mrs. W. Kathleen's slipper. 

CoTT. Why so it is. It is realh\ I must have found 
it. That's it, I found it in the hall. Little puppy must 
have carried it away. 

Enter Jan. froin r. 

Mrs. W. Janine ! 

Jan. Madame ? 

Mrs. W. Here is Kathleen's slipper. Take it to her. 

Jan. Oui, madame. 

CoTT. The young folks are beginning to dance in the 
hall. Shall we join them? 

Wel. I want to have a word or two with Kittie. 
{Crosses to l. ) Maybe she can spare a dance for one of 
the old timers. [Exit, l. 

Mrs. W. {taking Cott's arm). Cheer up, my boy, 
I'm sure everything will turn out right. 

{They stroll off at l.) 

Enter McG. from r. 

McG. ril shov/ 'im, so I will! The Boche. The 
pro-German noodle-maker. 

Jan. McGregor! What has happened? 

'McG. It's that Dutch cook. He's a-makin' reflec- 
tions on the United States. He called the President a 
nut. 

Jan. He did? Vy did you not throw him in the 
street ? 

McG. I v/ouldn't demean meself by layin' hands on 
him, but I withered 'im with my contempt, I did. Some 
day he'll push me too far and then the fightin' spirit o* 
the McGregors w^ill assert itself hand I'll knock 'im into 
a cocked 'at, so I vv^ill. 

Jan. Have you seen Miss Kathleen? She's lost her 
slipper. 

McG. Lost her slipper? 

Jan. Yes, I have it here. 

McG. Belike she's in the hall dancin'. 

Jan. Stupid! How can she dance vizzout zis? 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF TilB RED CROSS 37 

{Holds Up slipper. Kit. liops in from l.) 

Kit. Thank you, Janine. I'll take it. That will do, 
McGregor. 

McG. Yes, miss. [Exit, l., zvith great dignity. 

Kit. {putting on her slipper). I felt just like Cin- 
derella. Only I had an awful time to make it fit. And 
Mr. Cott was such a funny looking prince. 

Jan. Is he your prince, Mees Kathleen ? 

Kit. I don't know. Sometimes I think he is, but 
most times I'm sure he isn't. Have you a sweetheart, 
Janine ? 

Jan. {ecstatic ally). Havel? Havel? Oh, mademoi- 
selle, I have. So beeg he is and so strong and wiz blue 
eyes and red hair. 

Kit. Red hair? 

Jan. Oui, mademoiselle. He is an Irishman. A sol- 
dier, but now, helas, wounded. For two months he has 
not fought. He is lame. The shell exploded and nip 
him on the foot. Lame he is and with red hair, but ah, 
mademoiselle, you should know his heart. It is the heart 
I love, the courage, the soul. His name is Jamie. 

Kit. Jamie? Oh, Janine, I too have a Jamie. And 
he's got red hair and limps a little when he walks. 

Jan. a soldier, Mees Kathleen? 

Kit. No. It almost broke his heart when they turned 
him down. But like your Jamie he has the heart, the 
courage and the soul. 

Jan. Then it is enough, mademoiselle. You vill 
marry him and as for Monsieur DePuyster Cott, good- 
night ! 

Kit. I don't knov/, Janine. I haven't made up my 
mind. We are so frightfully poor, my uncle is at the 
front and my grandmother is very old. If I married Mr. 
Cott it would m.ean happiness and comfort for life. 

Jan. Comfort, yes? Happiness, maybe ! 

Enter Cott from l. 

Cott. Kathleen, I've been looking every place for 
you. Do you want to dance? 

Kit. I believe I do. That music is delightful, 



38 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

(She takes his arm mid they stroll out at l.) 

Jan. The poor mademoiselle ! She tries to be gay 
while all the time her heart is crying out for her Jamie, 
wiz ze red hair and ze little lim.p. (Bell rings off stage R. 
Enter McG. from l. ; crosses stage and exits r. Jan. 
arranges furniture down l.) The poor young lady. If 
she marries Monsieur DePuyster Cott very much vill she 
regret it. [Exit, l. 

Enter McG. stiffly, follozved by Gran., timid and nervous. 
She zvears a widow's bonnet, rusty shazvl, old- 
fashioned shoes, dark dress and carries a large cotton 
umbrella and covered market basket. 

Gran, {at rear r., to McG., who is standing rear r. c). 
You ain't Cousin Wellington, air y' ? 

McG. No, madame, I am butler. 

Gran, (putting things dozvn, advances to him and 
shakes hands zvarmly). I'm pleased to make your ac- 
quaintance, Mr. Butler. I'm Grandma Gibbs from 
Splinterville. Mr. Wellington is my cousin. There used 
to be some Butlers lived over on the old Lower Eighty 
right across from Hookworm Crick. Alan's name was 
Isaac Butler. Might have been some kin of yours. 

McG. I'll hinform Mr. Wellington that you're here, 
ma'am. Sit down. 

Gran, (going to padded chair at r., starts to sit). 
Thank you. (Sits dozvn and jumps up immediately.) 
Mercy me! (Looks at chair, feels seat.) Ain't it 
squshy? I thought I'd set on the cat. 

McG. It's all right, ma'am. 

Gran, (sifting dozvn carefully, then giving a sigh of 
satisfaction). Jest like a feather bed. Don't bother to 
interrupt Cousin Wellington if he's busy. You didn't 
tell me ef you was any kin to old Ike Butler. 

McG. I have no relations in this country, ma'am. 

Gran. Are you a furriner? 

McG. A Scotchman, ma'am. 

Gran. My, rny. I've allers wanted to meet a Scotch- 
man. They've done such noble work in the war. You 
se^ I read every scrap about the war I kin lay my hands 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF TME RED CROSS 39 

Oil. I'm in the Red Cross work and my boy Ezry's at 
the front. Somewhere in France. And you're a Scotch- 
man? Ain't you proud of your fellow countrymen 
who're Iightin' and dyin' day by day fer the native land 
and fer the common cause of humanity? Don't it make 
your heart almost bu'st with pride to read about the 
Highland Regiment in Flanders ? 

j\IcG. {deeply ioueJied). Hindeed it do, ma'am. If 
I was a bit younger I'd be over there myself. 

Gran. I reckon you're doin' your bit here, ain't you ? 

McG. I ain't doing as much as I should, ma'am. 

Gran. None of us are. Only our boys facing death 
at the front are doing that. You belong to the Red 
Cross ? 

]\IcG. No, ma'am. 

Gran. Here's a button. {Pins it on him.) A dollar, 
please. 

McG. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am. 

{Gives her a dollar.) 

Gran. Now you've done something fer the war any- 
way. That money'U go to help some poor wounded boy 
out there in France. You won't know where it goes, ner 
he won't know where it comes from, but it'll be there. 
It's the tie that binds those at the front to those w^ho have 
to stay at home. It's your bit. You've done what you 
could. 

McG. Thank y', ma'am — and God bless you. It 
makes me feel like I was a part of the Allied Army my- 
self. FI excuse me, ma'am, I have a patriotic duty to 
perform. 

Gran. A duty? 

McG. Yes, ma'am. There's a party down in the 
kitchen who's a pro-German. He called the President — 
our President— a nut, ma'am. I'm goin' to make 'im 
take it back, ma'am. I'm goin' to make 'im eat his words 
like a bowl of soup, ma'am. {At door l.) I'm goin' to 
hattack the henemy single handed, ma'am! \Exit, L. 

Enter from r. Wel., Mrs. W. and several guests. 



40 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

Wel. Whew, that dance was a corker. It's better 
than the gymnasium. I think I lost fifteen pounds. 

Gran, {coming tozvard him). Cousin WeUington! 

Wel. Grandma! Of all things! Grandma Gibbs! 
(Shakes hands warmly.) Where on earth did you come 
from ? 

Gran. SpHnterville. I come to see Kittie. How is 
she ? 

Wel. As line as silk. You \yon't know her. This is 
my wife. You remember her, don't you? Elizabeth, 
this is Grandma Gibbs. 

Gran, (kissing Mrs. W.). Know her? I should say 
I do. She uster go to school to me, forty year ago. 
Didn't y', Lizy? 

Mrs. W. (embarrassed). Yes, indeed. But won't you 
take off your things? (Leads Gran, to easy chair.) Sit 
down. You must be tired after your long journey? 

Gran. Yes, honey, I am a little tired. Ridin' on the 
steam keers is a shakin' experience, but I jest loved the 
excitement. I hesitated some about makin' the trip, but 
Samanthy Snapp promised to take keer of the baby, so I 
jest packed up some jell and nut-cake for you and here 
I be. 

Wel. Jell and nut-cake ! Oh, grandma, I haven't 
tasted anything like your jell and nut-cake for thirty-five 
years. 

Gran. Then you're goin' to have some for supper. 
Maybe I kin stir y' up a batch of biscuit, too. I never 
see a boy love biscuit the way you did. 'Member one 
night when the parson was at our house you et nineteen, 
and then wondered why you couldn't relish the cherry 
pie. (Laughs.) 

Wel. (laughing) . I've never forgotten that night. 

Gran. But where's Kittie? She ain't sick er nothin'? 
Why ain't she here to welcome me ? 

Kit. (outside 'l.). Come on and let's have some more 
music. 

Gran, (starting up). That's her. That's my Kittie. 

Kit. Cousin Wellington! Where are you? (Enter 
Kit. from l. She does not see Gran, at first hut starts 
tozvard Wel. ) I thought you wanted to dance with me ? 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 4I 

(Sees hini looking al Gran. ',JoUozvs his eyes, sees Gran. ; 
slight pause with sharp intake of the breath — then.) 
Why, there's grandma! (Rushes into her arms.) 

Gran. I didn't hardly know y', honey, I didn't hardly 
know y'. 

Kit. Oh, it just seems too good to be true. Just think, 
you're here in the city. (Wel. motions to Mrs. W. and 
guests and they zviihdraw quietly.) How's the baby? 
And where is he? (Rapidly.) I'm just crazy to see that 
tooth. Does he cry much at night, and has he been well ? 

Gran. He's jest as fine as a fiddle. How do you like 
it here, Kittie ? 

Kit. It's lovely, but it's not like Splinterville. Who's 
taking care of the baby? 

Gran. Miss Samanthy. 

Kit. Well, I guess she can manage. How's Uncle 
Ezra ? When did you hear from him ? 

Gran. Last week. He's real well and sends you a 
bushel of love. He told me all about life in the trenches. 

Kit. Have they made him an officer yet? 

Gran. He didn't say. I suppose they have. Ezry's 
a dabster hand at bossin' men. I shouldn't be surprised 
to see him a gineral before the war's over. 

Kit. Oh, how lovely ! And how's Loretta and Lizzie 
and Bub and Happy Jim and the Red Cross ladies and 
everybody? And what's the news? Anybody married? 

Gran. No, but Elmer Green's been seen calling right 
often at Lowizy Custard's. Happy Jim's bought out 
Olden and Hughes' grocery store and told me to be sure 
and bring you back home right away. Kittie, Happy Jim's 
a fine young fellow, good principles, moral, upright and a 
good business man. He'd ought to make a good husband. 

Kit. Oh, grandma, I want you to meet DePuyster 
Cott! 

Gran. To meet him? Is it a man? 

Kit. Of course. What did you think? 

Gran. I miscalc'lated it might be one of these here 
newfangled folding beds you read about. 

Kit. He's a millionaire, and he wants to marry me. 

Gran. A millionaire? A sure enough millionaire? 

Kit. Yes, that's v/hat Cousin Wellington says. 



42 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

Gran. That's a powerful heap of money, Kiltie. 

Kit. I know it. Why, if I marry him we can have a 
house Hke this and you can be a line lady like Auntie 
Wellington and 

Gran. Jest a minute, Kittie. Do you love Mr. Cott? 

Kit. {head down). Well — I — don't — know. 

Gran. Yes y' do, honey. Ef you love him you know 
it. And ef you don't there ain't no use talking any more 
about it. I want to have a talk with him, Kittie. But 
one thing you must understand right from the very be- 
ginning and that's this: The good Lord made young 
folks fer each other, Kittie, and all the millions and gold 
in the world will never mean happiness to you unless you 
love the man you marry. Don't think you'll have to 
provide fer me and the baby. I'm earnin' money right 
along, and Ezry sends me twenty dollars every month. 
We'll get along all right, even if you don't get married at 
all. 

Kit. But think of the wonderful things I could do if 
I was rich. 

Gran. Ain't none of 'em vv^orth their salt unless 
they're seasoned with a life's love, honey. 

Kit. {hugging her). Oh, it's so good to have you 
here with me. You tell me just what I need to know. 
Your advice is just like my conscience. But you must 
be tired. Don't you want to come to my room and rest 
a little before dinner? 

Gran. Dinner ? Ain't you had dinner yet ? 

Kit. We have dinner at seven. 

Gran. I want to know ! Lizy must be a awful slow 
cook. I et my dinner in the keers out of a shoe-box. 
{Rises, looks around.) What a pretty place they got. 

Kit. Aren't you tired, grandma? 

Gran. Not a mite. You take my umberell and basket 
and carry 'em to the room and I'll set here and rest a 
spell. You might tell Cousin Wellington that I'd like 
a word with him. 

Kit. {going l. ). I'll send him to you. 

Gran. And don't get to thinkin' too much about that 
Mr. Bedd. It ain't likely he'll want to marry you after 
he talks to me a while. 



GRANDMA GIBBS Of THE RED CROSS 43 

Kit. His name is Cott, grandma, and I'd forgotten 
him already. 

Gran. That's a good sign. I'll bet a doughnut you 
ain't forgotten Happy Jim Hankins. 

Kit. {at door l., lurns). No, somehow I never forget 
Jim. ' [Exit, L.' 

Gran. She won't ever find the road to happiness here 
in the city. I reckon it's a little shady country road that 
leads through old covered bridges over ripply streams, up 
the hill of Hard Knocks and down into the vale of Peace 
and Love at last. And Jim Hankins'U be her guide. 

Enter Wel. from l. 

Wel. Grandma, it does my heart good to see you 
again. Your coming is like a breath of the cider-scented 
air of old Splinterville. 

Gran. {07i tete). Set down, Cousin WeUington; I 
want to have a little talk with you. 

Wel. Certainly. 

Gran. It's about our Kittie. 

Wel. She's my little girl, grandma. I love her as 
much as if she were my own daughter. 

Gran. Then what do you think about her marrying 
this Mr. Bedd? 

Wel. Bedd? 

Gran. I mean Cott. Is he the man you'd pick out 
for your own daughter? 

Wel. No, I hardly think he is. Still he's a million- 
aire 

Gran. That's jest what Kittie said. It seems to be 
his only recommendation. How old is he? 

Wel. About thirty-five. 

Gran. Why ain't he at the front? 

Wel. Too much money. 

Gran. That's no excuse. He ain't a slacker, is he? 

Wel. No, he isn't as bad as that. My wife thinks 
he'd make Kittie a good husband. He could provide her 
with everything her heart desires. 

Gran. ' I don't think so. The main thing her heart 
desires is love. Cousin Wellington, and faith and trust. 
Money ain't to be considered in the matter at all. 



44 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

Wel. Then I reckon it's good-bye, Mr. Cott. 

Gran. I reckon it is. But I'll have a talk with him 
first. Maybe I kin get him to do sump'm fer his country. 

Wel. He has already contributed to the fund, very 
liberally, I think. 

Gran. That's good; we need mone'y, but money ain't 
everything. We need men, good, true, stalwart men, 
Americans worthy of the name ! Like our fathers and 
our forefathers. We won the war of 1776 v/ithout 
money and in 1812 we weren't blessed with many mil- 
lionaires. The man comes first, the man before the 
dollar every time. 

Wel. My sentiments exactly. You're as patriotic as 
I am. God has given me everything I wanted except 
five or six strapping big sons to give to my country. 
What a glorious honor ! My boys'd never wait to be 
drafted. No, ma'am ! When they heard the call they'd 
answer, like their forefathers before 'em. 

Gran, (^taking his hand). God bless you, Cousin 
Wellington. 

Wel. I have been a successful business man, grandma, 
but everything I control, every dollar I possess is at the 
service of my country. 

Enter McG. from l., clothing torn, collar open, nose 
bloody. He starts to exit r. hut pauses at door r. 

McG. I did it. 

Wel. You look like it. What have you been doing? 
Trying to tame a bulldog? 

McG. Well, ye might call it that, sir. I've just fired 
the German chef. 

Wel. Fired him? Fired Schnitzel? Why? 

McG. He called the President a nut. I fired him for 
that. Then he said the Kaiser was the greatest single 
force for civilization that ever was, and v/ith that I gave 
him a lift under the lug and we went at it. They took 
him away in the hospital wagon. And if you don't like 
the way I treated him, sir, you'll have to get another 
butler, for I'll quit and that's something I'm not wishing 
to do. 



GRAMDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 45 

Wel. Quit? For avenging an insult to your Pres- 
ident? You'll do nothing of the sort. Your pay is ad- 
vanced ten dollars a month. 

McG. Thank you, sir. [Exit, r., with dignity. 

(Kit. looks in at l.) 

Kit. May I come in? 

Wel. Sure. 

Kit. Is your talk all over? 

Wel. Not for a month, but you can come in. 

Gran. Perhaps you'd better, Kittie. I have had a 
serious talk with Cousin Wellington and now I want to 
have a serious talk with Mr. Bedd. 

Kit. Cott, grandma. 

Gran. Of course. I was sure it was sump'm to sleep 
on. Where is he ? 

Kit. Gone ! 

Wel. Gone? Where has he gone? 

Kit. To enlist in the navy. 

Gran. Good for him. But I wanted to speak to him 
before he went. 

Kit. It wasn't necessary; I spoke to him. 

Gran. You didn't say you'd marry him ? 

Kit. No, I told him exactly what you said and then 
I told him that I couldn't marry him. 

Wel. Did you give him a reason? 

Kit. Yes, I told him that I didn't love him. So he's 
left to join the navy. That's one thing I did for Uncle 
Sam anyway. 

Enter Mrs. W. from l., with telegram in her hand. 

Mrs. W. Grandma, a boy just brought a message for 
you. 

Gran. A message? What kind of a message? 

Mrs. W. a telegram. (Hands it to her.) 

Gran. The baby's took sick. Where's my specs? 
Read it to me, Kittie. {Hands it to Kit.) 

(Kit. looks at it; a look of agony comes on her face; 
she trembles and hesitates.) 

Wel. What is it, Kathleen ? 



46 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

Gran. Tell me, don't keep me in suspense. I kin 
bear it. Why don't you tell me? (Pause.) It's from 
Ezry ? 

Kit. Yes. From the War Department. 

Gran. Not dead? My boy ain't dead? 

Kit. No, grandma, he's wounded. (Reads.) ** Pri- 
vate Ezra Gibbs wounded in battle September fifth. 
Resting well. Further reports will foUov/." 

Gran. Get me my things. 

Kit. Where are you going? 

Gran. To my boy. Fm going to Ezry. 

Kit. But you can't. He's thousands of miles away. 
Across the ocean. You must have patience and wait and 
trust. 

Gran. But he's wounded, my boy is wounded. 
(Staggers.) And I can't go to him to comfort him. 
Seems like I hear him calling to me, calling to his mother. 
Take me back home, Kittie ; maybe I kin bear it better 
there. Take me back home ! 



CURTAIN 



ACT III 

SCENE. — Interior of an American war hospital. Dark 
background, entrances r. and l. Five white cots of 
small size are arranged in a rozv at the back of the 
stage, the feet of the occupants toward the audience. 
Small stool stands by each cot. Bottles, glasses, 
flowers, oranges, etc., on the stools. 

(Corporal Shannon sits in zvheel chair at extreme l, 
front, his head swathed in white bandages. If the 
wheel chair is not available he may be in cot at ex- 
treme L. Miss BoYER, a Red Cross nurse, stands 
by him bandaging his right arm. Miss Cummings 
sits on stool at extreme r. playing a guitar and sing- 
ing to the occupant of Cot No. i. The five cots are 
occupied by wounded soldiers. Cot No. i by a 
young boy, sitting up in cot, head and face com- 
pletely hidden by bandages. No. 2, an older man 
fully dressed in uniform reclining on cot, his leg in 
bandages, a crutch beside him. No. j, an old man in 
cot, a black patch over his left eye. No. 4, nothing 
visible but a pale still face and rigid form. No. 5, 
Ezra, gaunt and haggard and bearded, moaning and 
tossing about restlessly. He is delirious. Miss C. 
sings a quaint old Irish song while Miss B. bandages 
CoRRORAL Shannon. She finishes the song.) 

Cor. Sure, Sister, I thought I was in Paradise the 
while you were singing. It hfted the soul out of me 
intirely. 

Miss C. Blarney, corporal, blarney. 

Cor. Not at all. Sure at home I always passed as a 
woman-hater, I did. 

Miss B. Well, I hope we've altered your opinion a 
little. 

47 



m 



48 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

Cor. Altered it, is it? You've changed it intirely. I 
always looked wid scorn on me frinds who lost their 
hearts to a little bit of fluff, but sure this hospital business 
has opened me eyes to something new in women. Some- 
thing I niver dreamed of at all, at all. 

(Miss C.goes to No. j and writes a letter for him/ he 
dictating in pantomime.) 

Ezra {raving). At 'em, boys! At 'em. Charge! 
The white fog is everywhere. And, oh, the smell of it. 
{Passionately.) It ain't fog, it's the gas, the poison gas 
of the trenches. Oh ! 

{Falls hack on couch; Miss B. goes to him, gives him 
medicine. ) 

CoR. The poor fellow ! Raving he is. He thinks 
he's facing the fire again out there. 

Ezra. And, oh, the noise. The boom, boom, boom of 
the artillery ! 

CoR. Sure 'twas enough to make a well man insane, 
let alone one wounded in the head. 

(Ezra sleeps. Miss B. comes to Cor.) 

Miss B. I wonder who he is. No one has been able 
to identify either of them. They brought them in to- 
gether, those two. {Points to Ezra and No. 4.) We've 
done what we could, but they're almost beyond human 
aid. 

CoR. Done what ye could? Yes, and more. As out 
of the mire and filth beautiful lilies bloom, so out of the 
hate and horror of war the deeds of service of the Red 
Cross nurse ever blossom forth with sweetness and 
fragrance. 

(Miss C. goes to No. 4. Looks at him, starts, feels 
his heart, then takes his hand. It drops lifeless.) 

Miss C. Sister! 

Miss B. {going to her). Yes? 

Miss C. It is over. 

Miss B. I'll speak to the doctor. [Exit, R. 

CoR. Has he gone, Sister? 



GRANDxMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 49 

Miss C. Yes, and we never knew his name. His 
clothing and identification tag were torn from the body 
when he was picked up. 

CoR. I heard him speak a name once in his ravings. 
Let me see ! He said it over and over, but it's gone from 
me entirely. 

MiSS C. Some poor mother or wife will be waiting 
for him, day by day looking for the letter, the message 
that will never come. Oh, it's pitiful. 

CoR. Gibbons — Gibson — something like that. Giv- 
ings? No, Gibbs, that was the name. His name was 
Gibbs. 

Enter Doctor Dav/son from r., followed by Miss B. 
He goes to iVo. 4. 

Doc. (after examination, draws sheet over No. 4). 
That makes fourteen today. {Comes down to Cor.) 
Well, corporal, how are you feeling? 

CoR. A little better, doctor. 

Doc. Sleep well? 

CoR. Like a top. 

Doc. You'll be out next week. 

CoR. And back to the trenches, sir? 

Doc. I don't know. 

CoR. I'm itchin' all over to git another whack at the 
Boches. 

Doc. Sister, take him out and give him a little air. 
He's excited. 

Miss C. Come along, corporal. (JJlieels him out l. ) 

Doc. (at cot No. 2). Well, Higgins, how goes it? 
Let's feel the ankle. Hurts, eh ? Sister and I wHll make 
it more comfortable. (Miss C. and Doc. arrange hand- 
ages on his ankle.) Miss Cummings, are you doing any 
more newspaper writing? 

Miss C. Yes, doctor, I write tvv^o or three articles 
each week for the Associated Press. This idea of an 
American hospital is something new and they keep 
clamoring for more heart interest stories all the time. 

(As she works.) 
Doc. There is an old woman from a little country 



50 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RIiD CROSS 

town in Missouri who is searching through the hospitals 
for her son. She's visited the ambulances and the camps 
and has been through scenes that would have killed most 
women, and she's nearly seventy. 

Miss C. Is she coming here? 

Doc. Yes, she's in the operating room now. I had 
quite a talk with her. A quaint, motherly old soul. All 
she knows is that her boy was seriously wounded at the 
front and is in the hospital. She doesn't even know his 
regiment. She goes from cot to cot wdth a heart-break- 
ing look of mingled agony and hope. What was the 
name of the poor lad there? {Indicates No. 4.) 

Miss C. He's one of the unknown. Picked up on the 
field W'ithout a sign that might identify him. 

Doc. Suppose he's her boy. 

Miss C. It's hardly possible. 

Doc. And yet it might be. I almost dread her com- 
ing. Something seems to tell me that she'll find him here, 
and that she arrived too late. 

Miss C. {wiping her eyes on apron). These poor 
mothers almost break my heart. I'd rather face a cannon 
than these brave w'omen, w^ith their hope and courage 
and great sorrow. 

Enter Grandma from r. Wild eyes, dusty feet, trem- 
bling hands and an expression of anguish. She 
pauses at door r. 

Gran. Kin I come in? 

Doc. {who has finished his work). Certainly. 
{Crosses to her.) You'd better sit down a while and 
rest. You look all tired out. 

Gran, {pathetically). I am all tired out, mister. I 
can't hardly go no farther. I've hunted so long, so long. 
But I can't set dow-n and rest. I dassent. It might be 
that in that very minute sump'm 'ud happen to my boy. 
My Ezry. He's the only son I got left, sir, and he's 
w^ounded — maybe dying. That's the thought that gives 
me courage to push on and on and on. I want to see 
him again, to hold him in my arms, to nurse him back to 
health. I want him, mister ; I've got to find my boy. 

(Miss C. approaches her.) 



GRANDPviA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 51 

Doc. God grant you may. 

Miss C. Amen to that, and grant that you won't be 
too late. 

Gran. Oh, I won't. God is good and I trust in His 
mercy. Wherever my boy is I'm goin' to find him and 
take him home. 

]\Iiss C. V, here is your home? 

Gran. Out in the Ozark IMountains down in Missouri. 
I ain't been there fer three months, but Kittie is takin' 
care of the baby and the neighbors is all so good to us. 
Just like kinfolks. The judge himself give me the money 
to come up here. You see everybody down home knows 
my boy and they all love him. It ain't like in the city 
where everybody is strangers to everybody else. Dov/n 
there we're all kinder bound together, -jest like a big 
fambly — and they all want Ezry home agin. I've hunted 
fer him so long. Seenls like I've been in ev'ry camp and 
ambulance and hospital in the world. (Miss C. leads 
her to No. i. ) Why, you're only a boy, ain't you ? And 
it's your head that's hurt. 

Miss C. Struck on the head with a piece of shrapnel. 
Totally blind. 

Gran. You poor boy. (No. i extends his hand; 
Gran, kisses it. ) God bless you and give you courage to 
bear your suffering. You're wounded but you'll git well 
and go back home to the mother who's waitin' fer you. 
How proud she'll be to know what you've done for your 
country. (Goes to No. 2.) And you, sir! (Shakes 
hands with him.) Hurt in the foot? Alaybe you'll be 
lame fer life, but it's fer your country and your flag. 
You fought a good fight; may God comfort you. (Goes 
to No. 5.) I'm proud to meet you, sir. A man of your 
age to go to the front and fight fer us at home. (Shakes 
hands zvith him.) We're grateful to you, sir, every 
woman in America owes you her gratitude. 

(Starts to No. 4.) 
Doc. (intercepting her). Just a moment. There's 
no one there. 

Gran, (clasping hands). You mean he's 

(Pause.) 



51 GRANDMA GiBPS OF THE REt) CROSS 

Doc. Yes, he's gone to his reward. He died half an 
hour ago and we never learned his name. 

Gran, {advancing a tottering step tozvard Doc). My 
boy's name is Gibbs, sir. Ezry Gibbs. He had a tag of 
identification. So it wouldn't be possible that 

(Pauses, breaks down, zveeps quietly.) 

Doc. Hardly possible. But sometimes the tags are 
lost. That was the case with that poor fellow. We 
never found his tag — we never learned his name. 

Gran. I've got to know. {Goes to No. 4.) God 
give me strength to learn the truth. {To gather courage 
she puts hand on her heart, the other on her eyes.) God 
help me! {Pronounced pause, the others watching her 
breathlessly. ) I must look, I must look at him. ( Turns 
dozvn sheet slowly, looks at No. 4. Tense pause. 
Gran, gives a long shivering sigh of relief.) Not my 
son, thank God, but some mother's boy. 

{Kisses forehead and covers form with sheet.) 

Ezra {rising up, speaks deliriously). At 'em, boys! 
At 'em, boys ! One, two, three, four, charge ! The gas, 
the gas! The poison gas of the trench. {Shrieks.) 
Treachery, treachery ! 

Gran, {down l., stands as if petrified, then gives a 
loud scream and totters tozvard him). Ezry! Ezry, it's 
my boy ! I've found m.y boy ! ( Grasps him in her arms. ) 

Ezra. Mother ! I knew you'd come to me, I knew 
you'd come to me ! 

Gran. Thank God, thank God! 

CURTAIN 

(Second Picture, Doc. attending Ezra. Gran, kneeling 
by cot praying. All others watching them zvith great 
interest. ) 

Doc. He has recovered his reason. The shock of 
seeing his mother has helped him more than an opera- 
tion. He will recover. 

Gran. I'm going to take you home, Ezry, I'm going 
to take you home ! 

CURTAIN 



ACT IV 
SCENE. — TJie same as Act I. 

(Kit. is discovered trimming the stage with festoons 
of green and holly hunches, humming a bright little 
song. Knock heard at door l. Kit. opens it and 
discovers Lor. dressed in zvinter clothes, hat and 

muff. ) 

Lor. Merry Christmas, Kittle. 

Kit. The same to you and many of 'em. Oh, 'Retta, 
that was the loveHest present. You were just a dear to 
remember me. 

Lor. {helping Kit. with greens). And the towels and 
pillow slips you gave me! Oh, Kittie, they w^ere just 
what I wanted. 

Kit. Getting all ready for the wedding, are you? 

LoR. Not quite yet. AVe're not going to be married 
until spring. And maybe not then, if Ezra takes it into 
his head to go back in the army. 

Kit. Oh, the war will be over by spring. At least I 
hope so. 

Lor. Has the baby seen the tree? 

Kit. No, but it's all ready. Grandma will bring him 
in as soon as he's dressed. Isn't it pretty? 

{Referring to small Christmas tree.) 

LoR. Lovely. What a happy Christmas this is for 
you and me, Kittie. You back from the city and Ezra 
home again. 

Kit. Oh, yes, the family circle is all complete. 

LoR. Have you ever heard anything more from Mr. 
Cott? 

Kit. No, only what I read in the paper. He's been 
promoted to ensign. I reckon he won't answer my last 

53 



54 GRAKDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

letter. It wasn't any use, Loretta. I'm afraid I never 
was cut out for the wife of a city millionaire. 

Lor. How about a country millionaire? If the price 
of wheat and hogs goes up any higher Happy Jim Han- 
kins will almost be in that class. 

Kit. Happy Jim doesn't care for me any more, 'Retta. 

LoR. Nonsense. He's just plain bashful, that's all. 

Kit. He didn't used to be that way. 

LoR. He's afraid of you since you made your debute 
into city societ}'. When he saw that full-page picture of 
you in the Sunday paper it 'most scared him into connip- 
tion tits, and he's never been brave around you since. He 
thinks you're a kind of an angel, or something like that. 

Kit. Well, I Rin— {pause, then speaks mischievously) 
something like that. 

LoR. Kittie, you mustn't be vain. As I am to be your 
aunt-in-law some day I might just as well begin to tell 
you your faults. 

Kit. 1 haven't any faults. That is — not very big 
ones. Just little, teeny, tinsey ones. 

Enter Liz. and Bub from l. 

Liz. Oh ! look at the Christmas tree. Ain't it pretty? 

Bub. Ain't got very much on it. See what I got for 
Christmas. (Holds up skates.) 

'Liz. Me, too. {Holds up skates.) Santa Claus 
brung me mine. 

Bub. Brung me mine, too. 

Liz. And candy and oranges and nuts and a doll 
baby and lots of things. 

Bub. Me, too. And a big twain of cars. 

Liz. We et up all our things at our house so we come 
over here to see what you'd got. 

Bub. We et a lot, but we've got heaps of room fer 
more. {Extends sweater in front.) 

Lor. Why, Bub McBride, I never saw such manners. 
Ain't you ashamed of yourself? 

Bub. Nope. 

Kit. Don't scold them on Christmas Day, 'Retta. 
You and Lizzie shall have anything we've got, Bub. 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 55 

Liz. And we want Uncle Ezry to tell us a story about 
the war. 

Bub. Yep, and 'bout the cowboys and the Injuns. I 
like that kind, too. 

LoR. I think I'll go out and see if I can help grandma. 

Liz. Me, too. Maybe she'll let' me stone the raisins. 

LoR. You'd eat more'n you'd stone. You'd better 
take Bub and run home, Lizzie. [Exit, r. 

Liz. I guess she ain't my boss, even if she is my big 
sister. S'ay, Kittie, can I take the baby out and show him 
how to skate? 

Kit. Mercy, no, Lizzie. He's only a year and a half 
old. He couldn't skate. 

Liz. Humph, I could skate when I was littler'n that. 

Bub. Me, too. 

Kit. (giving each a pop-corn ball from tree). Now, 
how do you like that ? 

Liz. Pretty good. But I \visht it was bigger. 

Bub. Me, too. 

(Groitp of very small children heard singing some 
simple Christmas song off stage at r. Kit., Liz. 
and Bub go to door or window and listen to them. 
They sing one stanza and chorus. ) 

Liz. All the kids in the village are outside, Kittie. 

Kit. Tell them to come in and see the Christmas tree. 

Liz. {at door). All you kids kin come in if you want 
to. Come in and get a warm. They've got a Christmas 
tree. 

{Children enter from one door, and Gran., Lor. and 
Ezra from the other. Gran, has baby in her arms. 
Ezra walks with crutch and has his head bandaged.) 

Gran. It's the children. Ain't they sweet? The 
laugh of a little child is like an Easter lily to me, a grow- 
ing Easter lily, pure and white with the dew of innocence 
still on it. No wonder the Master said " Of such is the 
Kingdom of Heaven." 

Kit. There's the tree. 

(Distributes candy, pop-corn, etc., to children. Chil- 



56 GRANDMA GIBUS OF THii RliD CROSS 

dren sing another stanza and chorus, dancing around 
the tree.) 

Liz. Now, Uncle Ezra, tell us a story. 

Ezra {seated c). AH right, young 'uns, set down. 
{They group about him on the floor.) Once upon a time 
there was a king 

Liz. Oh, don't tell us about no king. Tell us about 
the soldiers and the war. 

Bub. Tell us about the fightin'. 

Ezra. Weil, once upon a time there was a feller 'bout 
my size who went off to war. 

Bub. Did he git killed? 

Ezra. Purty near. Bub, but not quite. He sailed 
away on a big ship and went over to France. When he 
was on the ship his bunkie w^as promoted. 

Liz. What's a bunkie? 

Ezra. Feller that sleeps in the same tent with you. 

Liz. Oh, I thought it was sump'm like a monkey. 

Ezra. Well, my bunkie died and I got a new one. 
And he was a fine feller, too. Boy named Ritter froni' 
Tippecanoe City, Ohio. Flim and me got to be great 
pals. Then at last we landed in France and marched 
to the fightin' line. We had a pretty easy time at first, 
gittin' trained ready to fight, but we kept gittin' gradually 
nearer and nearer to the front of the battle lines and at 
last we landed in the trenches. The enemy wasn't more'n 
a mile away. First they'd come out of their holes and 
fight and then we'd git right back at 'em, and all the time 
the aeroplanes was fiyin' ^bove like great big eagles, and 
droppin' down bombs and shootin' oft* machine guns. 

Liz. Oh, my, wasn't that dangerous ? They might 'a* 
hit some one. 

Ezra. That's jest what they aimed to do, honey. We 
stayed there fer about four months and we had some 
pretty hot scraps. I got hit by a bit of shrapnel two er 
three times and my pal Ritter caught trench fever. Then 
one day we got into a reg'lar sure-enough hand-to-hand 
battle. Fightin' and cuttin' and slashin' and shootin* 
right and left. Big guns a-boomin', snipers a-snipin' 
and men bein' shot down like hail. We fought from 



GRANDMA GinBi OF THE R£D CROSS 57 

sunup till long after sundown, first one side gittin' ahead 
and then tlie other. I got lost from my pal Ritter and 
couldn't see him nowlieres. Then the enemy began to 
retreat, backward they went, inch by inch, hghting and 
liring as they hopped into their holes. 

Liz. Oh, our side vvon ! We won, didn't we. Uncle 
Ezra ? 

Ezra. Yes, honey, we won. I was rushin' along like 
mud lirin* and runnin' and sweatin' when all of a sudden 
I saw my pal. They had him down, two of 'em — they 
were just ready to knl him when he saw me and shouted, 
" Gibbs ! Gibbs ! Help, help !" 

Liz. And did you help him? 

Ezra. You bet I did. I jumped toward 'em and just 
as I was going to shoot one of the enemy who held him 
a machine gun began to rattle ! Shells of shrapnel 
were ikying in the air and all of us was knocked plumb 
clean crazy. That's all I remember till I saw mother in 
the hospital. I must have been out of my head two er 
three months. And so was my pal. IT 3 wrs in t]:e hos- 
pital next cot to mine, but he died. And I'd 'a' died too, 
if it hadn't been fer mother. 

Gran. God was good, Ezry. He sent me to you that 
day. The doctor and the nurses thought that the man 
who died was you because in his ravings he always 
hollered " Gibbs ! Gibbs ! " So they naturally thought 
that Vv-as his name. But it wasn't. I've got my boy back 
home again. 

Liz. But you'll lose iiim when he marries my sister, 
won't you? 

Lor. Lizzie, I'm ashamed. 

Liz. I think you'd orter be. I heard }ou and Ezry 
in our parlor last vSunday night. 

LoR. Wh}', Lizzie ! That wasn't Ezry. It was just 
our kith and kin. 

Ltz. Yes, it v/as kith and kin, all right. He said, 
" Kin I kith you? " and you said " You kin ! " 

(All laugh.) 

GtRan. Lizzie, you'd better take the children out in 
l!:c side lot and see the snow man. Happy Jim Hankins 



58 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 

made him this morning. He's got a hat and a pipe and 
everything. 

Liz. Oh, grandma, that'll be fine. Come on, Bub. 
(Children go to door.) You kin all come. 

(Children run on I.) 

Gran. Cheer up, Loretty, it ain't nothing to be 
ashamed of. Honest love is the law of life. It's God 
given, honey. You orter be proud of it. 

LoR. I am, grandma, and I'm proud of Ezra, too. 

Gran. I should think you would be. This is the 
happiest Christmas I've ever known since poor Mary 
went away. My boy is with me and Kittie's home again 
and Mike Hannigan dead and in his grave. Poor Mike ! 
He wasn't what you'd call a good man, but he answered 
his country's call and died at the front, like a hero. The 
baby neecl never be ashamed of his father now. His 
noble death wiped out all the sins of his life. 

Ezra. Kittie, how'd you like to go back to the city for 
a visit to Cousin Wellington again? 

Kit. No, siree, bob. The country's plenty good 
enough for me. 

Ezra. I thought you'd marry one of them rich city 
millionaires; you used to write me about a man named 
Cott. 

Kit. He's in the navy now and proving himself a 
good fellov/. But I don't 'low I'll ever get married. I 
reckon I'm cut out for an old maid. 

(Sleigh hells heard in distance ) 

LoR. Not while Happy Jim Hankins is alive. 

Kit. Novv^ 'Retty ! 

LoR. Did he give you a Christmas present, Kittie? 

Kit. Of course not. That proves that he's forgotten 
all about me. He never even called me up on the tele- 
phone to wish me a merry Christmas. 

- (Bells heard nearer, then they suddenly stop right 
outside.) 

]iM (outside). Whoa, there, Dobbin ! Whoa! Hello, 
anybody at home? ^ 



GRANDMA GIBBS OF THE RED CROSS 59 

Ezra. That's Happy Jim now. Never give you a 
Christmas present, eh ? I j-eckon he's brought it with 
him. Come on, mother, Loretta and me's goin' to have 
a game of checkers in the kitchen and we'll let you be 
the umpire. {They go out laughing.) 

(Kit. opens the other door, admitting Jim all wrapped 
. up in muffler, mittens, cap and overcoat.) 

Jot. Merry Christmas, Kittie. 

(Takes off cap and shakes snozv from it in wood-box.) 

Kit. Same to you, Jim. 

Jim. It's gittin' colder'n blue and purple blazes out- 
side. I reckon my nose is almost friz off'n m}^ face. 

(Removes nmffler, etc.) 

Kit. I didn't expect you over to-day, Jim. You've 
acted right queer lately. I hope we haven't offended you. 

Jim. I should say not. I've just been kinder busy, 
that's all. I ovv'U my own store now and it keeps me 
hustling. 

Kit. I thought maybe there was an attraction at the 
other end of town. 

Jim. Meaning who? 

Kit. Well, Bella Spindle lives over there. 

Jim. I ain't seen Bella in a coon's age. 

Kit. It's been almost that long since you've been to 
see me. I might just as well have stayed in the city. 

Jim. Novv% don't say that, Kittie. Why, I'm awful 
pleased to have you here in Splinterville. Honest I am. 

Kit. You don't show it. 

Jim. Well, I'm goin' to, if you'll only give me time. 

Kit. Time? I've been home nearly a year novr. 
And I'm getting old, Jim. 

Jim. That's right, we're both getting older ever}- da3\ 

Kit. (indignantly). I'ni not so very old, Jim Han- 
kins. I meant that I was old enouprh to get married. 

]iM. You ain't thinking about that, are 5^ou? 

Kit. Um-umph ! Got some of my wedding clothes 
made ! 



60 GRANDMA GIBBS OF THii RED CROSS 

Jim. Kittie ! You ain't going to many one of them 
city fellers, are you? 

Kit. No, he doesn't live in the city. 

Jim. It ain't old Deacon Sassafrass, is it? 

Kit. That giddy old flirt? Well, I guess not. 

Jim. Not Parson Petty? 

Kit. With his six young Petties? Not for Kittie. 

Jim. Is it Charley Chalmers? He's the richest young 
feller in town. Got an automobile and everything. 

Kit. I'm not marrying an automobile, Jim. 

Jim. Well, I give it up. 

Kit. (crossing io R. ). It ain't nothing to you who it 
is, Jim Hankins. You wouldn't care anyway. 

Jim (following her). Care? Why, don't you know, 
Kittie, don't ycu know, I — I 

(Cliokes, then couglis.) 

Kit. (coming a little tozvard him). What were you 
going to say, Jim? 

Jim. I~I 

(Looks at her; gulps; szvallozvs. Pronounced -pause.} 

Kit. Well, say it. 

Jim. I was going to say that I — that we — you and 

me (Looks at Jicr.) That is, both of us 

{She looks at him.) You know (To audience.) 

Gosh, I can't do it when she's looking at me. 

Kit. (close to him). Well, what? 

Jim (gathering courage). Well, I — that is, I was 
going to say — about gittin' married, you know. If you 
do I'll (desperately) give you a nice dish-pan fer a wed- 
ding present, right out of the store. (Aside.) Darn 
the luck. 

Kit. (angrily). You can keep your old dish-pan, 
Jim Hankins, until I ask you for it. I'm not wanting a 
dish-pan. And I must say that for a man as old as you 
are, I never saw one who had as little spunk. Not to 
mention sand. 

Jim (meekly). Yes, ma'am. (Comes to her.) 
Now, Kittie — ^ 



GRANDMA GlliliS Uv THE RED CROSS 6l 

Kit. Don't you Kittie me! {He retreats.) Dish- 
pan indeed ! The idea ! 

Jim. This is Christmas, Kittie; you shouldn't get so 
mad. 

Kit. You're enough to try the patience of a saint, 
and goodness knows I'm no saint. 

Jim. I was just going to teU you something. 

Kit. What is it? Another dish-pan? 

Jim {smiling). Nope. I'm going to get married my- 
self. Got the engagement ring and every diing. 

Kit. Oh, indeed? To Bella Spindle, I suppose? 

Jim. Nope. Bella's a nice girl, but she looks like a 
lead pencil. If she ever tried to drink lemonade she's 
so thin that she'd slip through the straw and fall in. 

Kit. Who is it then? lluldy Higgins? 

Jim. Nope, it ain't Huldy. 

Kit. Maybe it's Samanthy Snapp. I saw her looking 
at you in the store the other day. 

Jim. It ain't no old maid; Kittie. It's a young girl. 
Young and pretty. 

Kit. {coming io him). Have you got the ring? 

Jim. Sure. 

Kit. {holding out hand). Then you can put it on. 

Jim. What ! 

Kit. I just wanted to see if it would fit. 

Jim. Kittie, will }'ou marry me ? 

Kit. I dunno. {Pause, he looks at her.) Mebbe. 

{Holds out her left hand wriggling all the fingers.) 

Jim {taking ring from box, polishes it on his sleeve; 
shozvs it to her). There! 

Kit. Oh, ain't it a beauty? Is it a diamond? 

Jim. If it ain't I'm skinned out of three dollars. 
Wliich finger'll I put it on? 

Kit. The latest style is the third finger of the left 
hand. 

Jim. I got you. {Counts from little finger.) One, 
two, three. {Kisses middle finger.) 

Kit. Wait, that's not the one. Count the other way. 

Jim {counting from the thumb). One, two, three. 
And there she is. 



62 GRANDMA GIBBS OF i'HE RED CROSS 

(Wriggles her riilddle finger.) 

Kit. No, no, that's the same linger. 

Jim. I thought it looked kinder familiar. 

Kit. This is the proper finger. 

Jim {putting ring on). x\nd this is the proper caper. 

(Kisses her.) 

Enter Gran. 

Gran, (throzving tip her h.ands in astonishment). 
Good land of libert}/ ! 

Kit. It's all right, grandma, we're engaged. 

Gran, (calling). Loretty, Ezry, come here and bring 
the baby. Kittie and Jim are engaged. 

Jim. I hope you ain't got no objections, grandma! 

Gran. Lord bless you, boy. Of course I ain't. I 
hope you two will be as happy all your life as I am 
to-day. 

Enter Lor. and Ezra with baby. 

Lor. Grandma, a whole bunch of folks is drivin' up 
the lane. 

Kit. Listen, they're serenading us. 

(Sleigh bells outside. Then singing heard, '' Jingle 
Bells," or some other zvinter song. They sing one 
verse aiid chorus. Then all come in, zvith children, 
dressed in zvinter clothing.) 

Gran. Merry Christmas, folks ; come right in. 

Sam. It's a surprise party for you, grandma, for you 
and Ezry. 

Gran. Oh, my boy's home again. I'm so happy I 
could just sing the Doxology all day long. 

Sam. We'll all sing it. 

All (sing). 

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow, 
Praise Him all creatures here below, 
Praise ITim above, ye heavenly host, 
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. 

SLOW CURTAIN 



THE BOY SCOUTS 

A Play for Boys in Three Acts 
By Waiter Ben Hare 

Twenty males. Scenery, unimportant; costumes, scout and modera 
Plays two hours, Wortli refuses to vote for Tony as a new scout because 
the latter is poor, but Tony shows in the end that he is a true scout and 
wins his election. This simple motive underlies lots of characteristic fun 
and stunts, and offers as a whole a very vigorous and sympathetic picture 
of the Boy Scout practices, motives, and ideals. Strongly recommended. 

Price, 2 J cents 

CHARACTERS 

Stewart Nipper, known as Nip. 

Fred Tuck, knowfi as Tuck. 

Dick Randolph, the patrol leader. 

WoRTHiNGTON LEONARD, a rich boy. 

Tony Ardis, a poor boy. 

Jakie Stein, with business instincts. 

Chubby Childs, who don t care if he is fat. 

Watermelon Jackson, a lazy coon. 

Mrs. Watermelon Jackson, and her seven little coons, {May bi 

omitted. ) 
LiPPY Scudder, who thinks he's a hero. 
Bub Waldron, going on seven. 
Jack Hall, assistant patrol leader. 
Plupy Higgins, who likes to study. 
Lee Waldron, w;;z^ athlete. 
Tom Redwav, zv ho plays the piano. 
Shorty, Harry, Charley, Will and Frank, other Boy Scouts, 

SYNOPSIS 

Act L — The meeting of the Bov Scouts of America. Nip and 
Tuck. 

Act n. — A rehearsal in the gym. The stunts of the Scouts. 
Act HL — Same as x-^ct L Swearing in the new tenderfoot. 



AUNT ABIGAIL AND THE BOYS 

A Farce in One Act 

By Lillie Fuller Merriam 

Nine males, two females. Scene, an interior ; costumes, modern. 
Plays one hour. Aunt Abigail, who hates boys, visits Gerald m college 
and finding him dressed in female costume for theatricals takes him for 
his sister Geraldine. Things are badly mixed up when his friends turn 
up and see the situation, but in the end Aunty is wholly cured of he' 
dislike for the "boys." Lively and amusing; recommended for school^ 

Price, IS cents 



TEDDY, OR, THE RUNAWAYS 

A Comedy in Three Acts 

By Walter Ben Hare 

{^Originally produced at the Waldorf- Astoria^ New York City, 

February j6, igi2. ) 
Four males, four females. Scenery, a single interior ; costumes, mod- 
ern. Plays two and a quarter hours. An eloping couple take refuge with 
the Junipers when their auto breaks down. The lady explains that they 
are being pursued by her brothers, so when a sheriff and posse arrive in 
pursuit of two thieves, Mrs. Juniper locks them down cellar to let the 
lovers escape. The sheriff gets out and arrests the Junipers whom he 
accuses of being the thieves. It finally appears that the lady is an author- 
ess and that she and her husband are posing as thieves in order to get ma- 
terial for a novel. Full of action ; characters all good ; lots of comedy ; 
strongly recommended. 

Price, 2^ cents 

CHARACTERS 

Jean MacLean, Little Miss Fixii. 
Mrs. Juniper, a Young Wife. 
Victoria, the Girl in the Taxi. 
Tex ANA, the Girl of the Golden West, 
Max Juniper, the Perplexed Husband, 
Alonzo Willing, the Fortune Hunter^ 
Ted Keegan, the Man on the Box. 
Sheriff Jim Larrabee, Officer 666, 
Tivo Deputy Sheriffs 

SYNOPSIS 

Act L — Living room at Max Juniper's house on a Texas ranch. 
Spring time. 

Act II, — Same as Act I. The great diamond robbery. 
Act III.— Same as Acts I and II. The thunderbolt. 



WANTED— A PITCHER 

A Farce in One Act 

By M. N. Beebe 
Eleven males. Scenery not important; costumes, modern. Plays half an 
hour. Hank Dewberry, the crack pitcher of the home nine, is kept from 
the championsiiip game by his skinflint father who wants him to do the hay- 
ing. Hank's friends try to find a substitute pitcher, with humorous but 
unsatisfactory results. The elder Dewberry finally releases Hank when 
one of the players shows him how to win the county championship at 
checkers, on which he sets his. heart. Hebrew, Irish, Italian and "hay- 
seed '* comedy character parts. Recommended. 

Price, i^ cents 



H. CU. Pinero's Plays 

Price, 50 0eiit6 each 



Min PH ANNFf ^^^y ^° ^°^^ ^^*^- S^^ males, five females. 
*"**-'"^* *•'**'* '*^" Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. 
Plays two and a half hours. 

THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITH ?c?s"' 'Si^h J 

males, five females. Costumes, modern; scenery, all interiors. 
Plays a full evening. 

THF PRflFIir'ATF Pl^yln Four Acts. Seven males, five 
lIILi I I\V/I Lil\J/\ 1 1:1 females. Scenery, three interiors, rather 
•laborate ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THF QPHnnT MfQTRF<JQ Farce in Three Acts. Nine males, 
ini:i iJV/niJl/LilUliJ 1 A.i:.Ov3 seven females. Costumes, mod- 
em; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY Il,'jrlT,;^S'v"i 

females. Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a 
full evening. 

QWFFT I AVFNriFR Comedyin Three Acts. Seven males, 
OlILiLtl LtlXl LtlJULAiX four females. Scene, a single interior, 
costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THF THTTMnFRRni T Comedy in Four Acts. Ten males, 
ini:i 1 nu llI/£iIVlJV/Lii nine females. Scenery, three interi- 
ors; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 



THF TIMF^ Comedy in Four Acts. Six males, seven females, 
a full evening. 



Scene, a single interior ; costumes, modern. Plays 



THF WFAITFR QFY Comedyin Three Acts. Eight males, 
1111:1 Tf Hi/lIVEiIV OLiA, eight females. Costumes, modern; 
Bcenery, two interiors. Plays a full evsning. 

A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE Ff^mlleMourfemales! 
Costumes, modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Walttv ^. pafeer Sc Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



fZZ 



fii^l 



CJje WiUimi Wwctm CtJttion 
of Paps 

^titt, 15 Cent!* €acl> 



AS YOU I IITF IT C!omedy in Five Acts. Thirteen male*, four 
AD IVU Ltla.Li II females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, vit- 
ried. Plays a full evening. 



CAHILLE 



Drama in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. Cos- 
tumes, modern ; scenery, varied. Plays a full evening. 



INfiOMAff Play in Five Acts. Thirteen males, three females. 
lliUUITliu\ Scenery varied ; costumes, Greek. Plays a full evening. 

MARY STUART Tragedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four fc- 
iTliilVl iJlUAAl males, and supernumeraries. Costumes, of the 
period ; scenery, varied and elaborate. Plays a full evening. 

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE SXf ?/"^'"'^'''' ^'"""*"*^" 



picturesque ; scenery varied. 



males, three females. Costumes, 
Plays a full eveniag. 



RfCHFT IFII -Play ^^ Five Acts. Fifteen males, two females. Been 
•a'VUI/I^IIvD ftrv elaborate : costumes of the neriod. Plava a. fnl 



evening. 



ery elaborate ; costiimes of the period. Plays a full 



THF RIVAT S Comedy in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. 
1 ULi ni T ilLtk? Scenery varied ; costumes of the period. Plays a 
full evening. 

DULi DlVVtJ 10 tUNQUEK m^aTes, four females. Scenery v*a- 
ried ; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. 

TWaFTH NICHT; OR, WHAT YOU WILL Sr/J^JSi'; 



three females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, varied, 
full evening. 



Plays a 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

l^alter 1$. TBafeer & Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



a. J. PARKHIUL a CO., PRINTU18. BOSTON. U.*.A> 



